Elephants' cognitive processes are on par with humans to such an extent that an Asian tusker named Happy should be released from the Bronx Zoo, under the state's unlawful imprisonment statute for people, an animal rights attorney argued to the state's highest court Wednesday.

Bronx Zoo elephant "Happy" strolls inside the zoo's Asia Habitat in New York. Photo: Bebeto Matthews/AP Bronx Zoo elephant "Happy" strolls inside the zoo's Asia Habitat in New York. Photo: Bebeto Matthews/AP