February 12, 2026–Pittsburgh–Today, the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas dismissed the case brought by the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP) to protect the liberty of Savanna, Tasha, Angeline, Victoria, and Zuri, who are held captive by the Pittsburgh Zoo. The case seeks habeas corpus relief to challenge the elephants’ unjustified confinement.
Below is a statement from NhRP Senior Staff Attorney Jake Davis, the lead attorney for the case:
The Nonhuman Rights Project will appeal today’s decision. Common law courts have the power and responsibility to remedy the injustice of Savanna, Tasha, Angeline, Victoria, and Zuri’s harmful captivity. For centuries, habeas corpus has served as a safeguard against unjust confinement. Today’s dismissal disregards the common law nature of habeas corpus, which has been successfully invoked on behalf of individuals with few or no rights.
Although we are disappointed with today’s outcome, we appreciate Judge McGinley’s engagement with the arguments. That engagement itself represents progress in our current legal system, where the rights and interests of nonhuman animals are so often invisible. We look forward to now taking our case to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania to obtain justice for Savanna, Tasha, Angeline, Victoria, and Zuri.
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