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Chimp Not a Person, Court Rules

Austrian animal-rights group vows to continue fighting on simian's behalf

By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 15, 2008 4:24 PM CST

(Newser) – Matthew Hiasl Pan, a 26-year-old chimp, is not legally a person, the Austrian Supreme Court has ruled. The animal shelter where he lives has declared bankruptcy, and human donors have volunteered to support him. But under Austrian law, only people can receive personal gifts, reports the AP, so the court rejected an animal rights group's petition to change Matthew's legal status.

Matthew and another chimp, Rosi, were captured in Sierra Leone and smuggled into Austria to be used in lab tests, but customs officials intervened before the sale was made. A foundation could be set up to provide for Matthew, but advocates say only personhood can protect him from being sold. The group that filed the petition now plans to appeal the decision to the European Court of Human Rights.

This undated picture provided by Central Washington University on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007 shows Washoe, a female chimpanzee believed to be the first non-human to acquire human language. (AP Photo/Central Washington University)
This undated picture provided by Central Washington University on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007 shows Washoe, a female chimpanzee believed to be the first non-human to acquire human language. (AP Photo/Central...   (Associated Press)
Fifi eats carrots. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
"Fifi" eats carrots. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)   (Associated Press)
Renowned chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall speaks  at a conference Saturday, March 24, 2007, in Chicago. The event, hosted by Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo, is billed as the first scientific meeting on how chimpanzees think. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Renowned chimpanzee expert Jane Goodall speaks at a conference Saturday, March 24, 2007, in Chicago. The event, hosted by Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo, is billed as the first scientific meeting on how...   (Associated Press)
A chimp eats watermelon. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
A chimp eats watermelon. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)   (Associated Press)
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