Orangutan Granted Personhood Settles Into New Florida Home

A 33-year-old orangutan granted legal personhood by a judge in Argentina is settling into her new surroundings at the Center for Great Apes in central Florida. Patti Ragan director of the center in Wauchula Florida says Sandra is very sweet and inquisitive" and adjusting to her new home. She was born in Germany and spent 25 years at the Buenos Aires Zoo before arriving in Florida on Nov. 5. She was shy when she first arrived but once she saw the swings toys and grassy areas in her new home she went out to explore" Ragan said. She has met her caregivers here and is adjusting well to the new climate environment and the other great apes at the Center. This is the first time in over a decade that Sandra has had the opportunity to meet other orangutans and she will meet them when she chooses. It is a new freedom for her and one we are grateful to provide." Judge Elena Liberatoris landmark ruling in 2015 declared that Sandra is legally not an animal but a non-human person thus entitled to some legal rights enjoyed by people and better living conditions.