Nonhuman Rights Project, Inc., Petitioner-Appellant: v. Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society and Bob Chastain…

Summary

The court held that Colorado's habeas corpus statute applies only to human beings and does not authorize nonhuman animals to seek habeas relief. Because the elephants therefore lacked standing, the district court lacked subject matter jurisdiction and properly dismissed the petition. The court did not reach whether the petition established that the elephants were unlawfully confined or entitled to release.