Lawyers seek rights for great apes
March 19, 2000 Seattle, Washington
"Steve Ann Chambers, president of the Animal Defense Fund, stated that animal law is the next legal frontier; it stands where environmental law did 25 years ago. Many law schools now teach animal law, and there are many lawyers currently practicing some form of animal law. While the more radical activists groups receive most of the press, the lawyers have been working behind the scenes to enhance animal protection. The lawyers have chosen to start their movement with four apes, the chimpanzee, gorilla, bonobos and orangutans, because they are genetically very similar to humans and therefore probably have the best chance of winning in court. Increasingly legal experts (whether they support the cause or not) are saying a case is inevitable."
http://www.wminteractive.org/Articles/wa3-19.htm
rofl