Final signature count: 25,225

25,225 signatures toward our 50,000 goal

Happy the elephant has lived in captivity almost her entire life.

She was captured when she was just 5 years old, and has spent the last 45 as a resident of the Bronx zoo1.

Happy has been the sole inhabitant of her “1-acre prison” for the last 13 years in the zoo, a facility that was named America’s fifth worst zoo for elephants in 20212.

Like many elephants, Happy is an intelligent and understanding animal. In 2005, she passed a mirror test, showing self-awareness by recognizing her own reflection3.

In the last two decades scientists have found that elephants are even smarter than we previously thought.

Several studies have shown that elephants are adept tool users and cooperative problem solvers; they are highly empathic, comforting one another when upset; and likely have a sense of self4.

The Nonhuman Rights Project maintains that because of her advanced intelligence, Happy should not be from imprisoned against her will5. The argument that an elephant deserves the same rights as a human also has precedent, as is the definition of personhood under U.S. law6.

“She has an interest in exercising her choices and deciding who she wants to be with, and where to go, and what to do, and what to eat, and the zoo is prohibiting her from making any of those choices herself,” said an attorney for Happy7.

The Nonhuman Rights Project is now fighting for Happy’s freedom, taking her case to New York’s highest court to demand that the Bronx Zoo release Happy to an elephant sanctuary8.

Elephants are social creatures that need freedom and connection with other elephants to thrive. Sign the petition and ask the Bronx Zoo to release Happy to an elephant sanctuary to live out the rest of her life in peace!