Should apes have human rights?

In a ground-breaking case at the Mödling district court, just southwest of Vienna, Austria, a judge is to rule over the "humanness" of a chimp – specifically, over whether it deserves a legal guardian.

The chimpanzee in question is called Hiasl. He was born in the Sierra Leone jungle in 1981, captured by animal traders and illegally shipped to Austria, destined for a vivisection lab. Customs officials intercepted the crate and Hiasl was handed to an animal sanctuary. Now, years later, the sanctuary has gone bankrupt and Hiasl is to be sent to a zoo.

Hence the trial. Paula Stibbe, a British woman, has applied to the court to be named Hiasl's legal guardian, saying it deserves the same rights as a human. So the chimp – which shares 96% of its DNA with humans – is having its personhood debated.

Primatologists and legal experts have spoken up in support of Hiasl having human legal status.

With news video.