From the AP:Austrian judge: Chimps aren't people
"He's now got a human name — Matthew Hiasl Pan — but he's having trouble getting his day in court."
Animal rights activists in Austria are campaigning to have Pan, a 26-year-old chimpanzee, legally declared a person.
The legal battle dates back to February, when the animal shelter where Pan and another chimp, Rosi, have lived for 25 years filed for bankruptcy.
Organizers could set up a foundation to collect cash for Pan, whose life expectancy in captivity is about 60 years. But they argue only personhood will ensure he isn't sold to someone outside Austria, where he's protected by strict animal cruelty laws.
The animal rights group has been pressing to get Pan declared a "person" so a guardian can be appointed to look out for his interests.
Group president Martin Balluch accuses the judicial system of monkeying around. "It is astounding how all the courts try to evade the question of personhood of a chimp as much as they can," he said.
