Spain Advances Groundbreaking ‘Jane Goodall Law’ to Protect Great Apes

Spain is making significant strides in animal rights legislation with the proposed “Jane Goodall Law,” a pioneering initiative aimed at granting fundamental rights to great apes. The law, announced by the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs, and the 2030 Agenda, seeks to end the exploitation of chimpanzees, bonobos, orangutans, and gorillas through measures including bans on captivity, experimentation, and commercial use.

Key Objectives of the Law

The proposed legislation outlines ambitious goals to protect great apes, emphasizing their dignity, right to life, and freedom from torture. According to the ministry’s official statement, the law aims to:

• Eradicate the illegal trafficking of great apes
• Prohibit their possession, experimentation, and commercial use
• Establish strict conditions for their captivity, prioritizing conservation
• Limit breeding in zoos to ensure ethical treatment

The initiative builds on the 2023 Animal Protection Law, which mandated the development of such a framework within three months. The law’s design involved collaboration with international organizations like the Jane Goodall Institute, Fundación Rainfer, and AnimaNaturalis, which gathered over 72,000 public signatures in support.

Context and Opposition

While the European Union has banned scientific experimentation on great apes since 2010—except in cases of dire medical necessity—Spain’s proposed law seeks to eliminate these exceptions. The ministry argues that the legislation reflects a global shift toward recognizing the complex cognitive and emotional capacities of great apes.

However, the law faces opposition from some environmental groups and left-wing parties. Critics, including Podemos and Alianza Verde, argue that the proposed measures do not fully abolish captivity or prohibit euthanasia, which they claim undermines the law’s ethical foundation. The Great Ape Project and Animal Guardians Foundation have also expressed concerns that the law may inadvertently permit practices currently restricted under EU regulations.

Next Steps and Implications

The law remains in development, with a technical working group tasked with refining its legal framework. While the final text has not been finalized, the initiative marks a critical step in Spain’s commitment to animal welfare. As Aïda Gascón, director of AnimaNaturalis, stated: “Spain is considering becoming the first country to recognize rights for these beings, our closest evolutionary relatives.”

The outcome of this legislation could set a global precedent for animal rights, influencing policies in other nations and reinforcing Spain’s role as a leader in ethical conservation efforts.