Jake Davis

The Michigan Supreme Court declined to hear a habeas corpus case for seven chimpanzees at the DeYoung Family Zoo, upholding lower courts' decisions that chimpanzees are not 'persons' under the law. Justice Elizabeth Welch dissented, arguing the law could evolve to recognize animal rights based on scientific understanding.

The Hawai‘i Supreme Court will decide if elephants Mari and Vaigai at the Honolulu Zoo should be granted constitutional rights and relocated to a sanctuary. The lawsuit argues the zoo violates their rights by keeping them in a small enclosure, while the zoo claims it provides adequate care and enrichment.