Nonhuman Rights Project

Three years ago today, two judges on New York's highest court issued historic dissenting opinions in support of elephants’ right to liberty. The focus of their dissents was our client Happy, an Asian elephant held alone in captivity in the Bronx Zoo. bit.ly/4n1khUE

Elephants don’t just communicate with sound—they gesture with intent. 🐘🍎 A new study shows elephants use deliberate trunk movements to influence others—a hallmark of complex cognition once thought unique to humans. 🔗 Learn more: nyti.ms/4o4NwWX

📌 We’re hiring a Development Manager! #nonprofitjobs Join a small but mighty team on a mission to secure legal rights for nonhuman animals. ⚖️🐘 Position: remote – US. Ideal candidates must have CRM & donor relations experience. Apply: nonhumanrights.org/blog/hiring-de…

Right now seven chimpanzees are being held captive at a roadside zoo in Michigan, deprived of the freedom & dignity they deserve. This #WorldChimpanzeeDay please join us in demanding their right to liberty & immediate release to an accredited sanctuary: bit.ly/44sELhU

160 years ago today, two belugas died in a fire in P.T. Barnum’s American Museum. Visit the NhRP blog to read “Why We Fight for Nonhuman Rights: The Story of the P.T. Barnum Belugas” by Kristen Garabedian #EmptyTheTanks nonhumanrights.org/blog/pt-barnum…

Ongard was born into captivity, torn from his mother at 7, and shipped 9,000 miles to Zoo Miami where he is now used in the AZA’s invasive breeding program. He never had freedom or a choice. This isn’t conservation. It’s exploitation. 🐘📢 Speak out: bit.ly/44GMyHx

Humans are not the only species who value their freedom. At the #NhRP we fight to secure fundamental legal rights for nonhuman animals because all autonomous beings deserve to live free from injustice.❤️#libertyandjusticeforall Donate to support our work: bit.ly/4eyMjCX

Freedom isn’t just a human right. This #FourthofJuly as you reflect on what freedom means, we invite you to expand your vision of justice to include autonomous nonhuman beings—like elephants, great apes, whales & dolphins—still held in captivity. They deserve freedom, too.🌍❤️

NhRP Executive Director @chrandberry was interviewed by @BLaw about the New York judge ruling that dogs can be considered part of the family. 🔗 Listen to the full interview: bloom.bg/44dMtwi #NYCLaw

At the NhRP we’re building more than legal cases—we’re building a movement. From the courtroom to communities, our 2024 Annual Report shows how, together, we’re inspiring calls for legal change and advancing rights for nonhuman animals. 📘 Read now: NhRPAnnualReport.com

Rocking. Screaming. Banging on the walls. Confined in cages near a parking lot. Sign the NhRP’s petition calling for the chimpanzees held captive in the DeYoung Family Zoo to be released to a sanctuary: bit.ly/4lF80E2

The Los Angeles Superior Court denied our habeas corpus petition on behalf of Billy and Tina—refusing to grant them the full and fair hearing they deserve. Here’s what you need to know: nonhumanrights.org/blog/billy-tin… #nonhumanrights #freebilly #freetina

From advancing nonhuman rights in court, to fostering change beyond the courtroom, to exploring new opportunities for change, 2024 was an important year for the NhRP. Learn more in our newly published Digital Annual Report! bit.ly/3Ifi5ZB

Seven chimpanzees remain trapped at the DeYoung Family Zoo in #PureMichigan. We’re fighting for their freedom in court—and now, you can show your support loud and proud! Wear the message. Fund the mission. ❤️ Shop the #FreetheDeYoungPrisoners merch: bit.ly/4ebWMnJ

🎉 A legal win for nonhuman animals: yesterday a judge affirmed that dogs can be recognized as immediate family members under New York law! ⚖️🔗 Learn more: bit.ly/4e61tzn #animallaw

BREAKING: NY court recognizes dog as "immediate family member" in case where @NonhumanRights filed two amicus briefs. First time in NY that witnessing a pet's death can support emotional distress damages. ⚖️🐾🧵 nonhumanrights.org/blog/dog-famil…

Join us this Saturday, June 21st join us for a peaceful rally demanding the City Council and the Zoo Director give Billy and Tina a chance to live freely and heal at a true sanctuary! 📢 #NotAnotherZoo RSVP: bit.ly/45s8SXM

Imagine losing every child you ever had because of where you’re forced to live. That's Rozie's reality—a 32-year-old elephant held captive at ABQ BioPark, denied the freedom she deserves. Share her story & sign our pledge to #EndElephantCaptivity bit.ly/3ZXNLIX

#ICYMI We’re waiting for the court to set a date for oral arguments in our case for #chimpanzeerights in #PureMichigan. Here’s where things stand and what you can do today to help. 👇 Learn more about the #DeYoungPrisoners: bit.ly/3Hxbz0h #AnimalLaw #NonhumanRights

NhRP Executive Director @chrandberry was interviewed for @reason on the topic of #AnimalPersonhood: “courts are trying to police a boundary between humans and animals and not recognizing that things don't always fall into a neat dichotomy." Read in full📰 reason.com/2025/05/24/wha…