In a bold legal move, he initiated lawsuits in an effort to legally designate chimpanzees as individuals with the corresponding rights and privileges. Central to his mission was the assertion of what he termed “bodily liberty” for these primates, advocating for their freedom from confinement or restriction. Through these legal actions, he sought to challenge traditional perceptions of non-human animals, positioning them within a framework of personhood that entitled them to fundamental freedoms and protections under the law. His endeavors represented a groundbreaking push towards recognizing the inherent value and autonomy of chimpanzees, signaling a shift in legal discourse towards a more inclusive understanding of rights and responsibilities across species boundaries.
Animal rights activist Steven Wise passes away at 73, leaving legacy.
