An animal rights group wanted the trio of elephants released from a New England zoo and moved to a sanctuary.
A petition by an animal rights group to grant three elephants at a Connecticut zoo personhood has been denied by a state judge who called the request « wholly frivolous. »
The Nonhuman Rights Project filed suit in November on behalf of elephants at Commerford Zoo, a traveling petting zoo based in Goshen. The group wanted the elephants released to a natural habitat sanctuary.
The group says elephants « have a sense of self, remember the past and plan for the future, engage in complex communication, show empathy, and mourn their dead. »
The judge’s decision Tuesday was based on the fact that the group didn’t have standing to bring the petition and there was no precedent.
The Nonhuman Rights Project says it’s reviewing the decision.
The zoo says it properly cares for its animals.
