The case of the Habeas Corpus to free chimpanzee Jimmy of his prison, a private zoo in Niterói city, state of Rio de Janeiro – he did not committed any crime – had a huge repercussion in Brazilian press. Justice Court of Rio de Janeiro denied the Habeas Corpus taking into consideration the fact that this legal resource was not appropriate to solve the situation of the chimpanzee, as long as it only serves humans. Besides, it is a constitutional subject that should be evaluated by superior courts in Brasilia.

Apart from that, the debate that took place in the court, which lasted more than three hours, indicated the doubts among the law professionals about the a “human” solution for Jimmy’s problem. He lives alone, with no company of other chimpanzees, for more than ten years.

Brazilian TV channels highlighted the case and the show called “Pânico na TV”, broadcasted on April 24, put on air an impartial report showing both sides: the zoo and GAP sanctuary, a possible home for Jimmy. It was not hard to conclude, by comparing his actual cage and situation at the zoo and the big enclosures of the sanctuary, with is not opened for visitation, which place would be better for him to live. Jimmy is an innocent chimpanzee who was first explored by a circus and now, at the zoo.

At the same time the Habeas Corpus was being judged in Rio de Janeiro, another court (Federal) accepted and old request made by Ibama (Brazilian Institute for Environmental Issues) to take all the animals out of Niterói zoo, due to the lack of basic conditions of the place to keep the animals. Jimmy will probably be transferred together with other animals and at the moment Ibama is looking for adequate places to host them all. Two lions were already transferred weeks ago, other two died and other two must leave the zoo.

It is important to point that Ibama is trying to close Niterói zoo for years, due to non-accomplishment of minimum rules to keep the animals. Not to mention policial processes about the disappearance of animals delivered to the zoo after confiscation from poachers. The zoo had already tried to block the transference of the animals, but the Federal Court canceled the decision that benefit the zoo and Ibama now has 120 days to empty the zoo, which, by the way, is not officially approved to run by Ibama.

Dr. Pedro A. Ynterian
President, GAP Project International

Related news:

https://www.projetogap.org.br/en-US/noticias/Show/3613,jimmy-trial-about-the-habeas-corpus-will-take-place-on-april