Happy, an Asian elephant, has been a resident of the Bronx Zoo for more than four decades. She is now 47 years old and has lived alone since 2006, following a conflict that led to her separation from the zoo’s other elephants.

The question of whether Happy is content is up for debate. The zoo’s administration insists that Happy is satisfied in her current environment. However, an animal rights organization presents a different view, asserting that Happy’s situation equates to unlawful imprisonment.

The Nonhuman Rights Project, a nonprofit advocating for nonhuman animals, has taken legal action, aiming to secure the same legal rights for Happy, along with three other elephants and several chimpanzees, as humans. On Tuesday, they filed a petition on behalf of Happy.

By keeping Happy in captivity, the group argues, the zoo denies her freedom. They propose relocating Happy to an elephant sanctuary, allowing her to socialize and form new bonds.

Jim Breheny, the Bronx Zoo’s director, dismissed the organization’s claims as “ludicrous” in a statement, accusing the group of using the elephants to further an unsuccessful agenda. The zoo maintains that Happy is not isolated. Breheny previously stated that Happy engages in “tactile and auditory” interactions with the other elephants despite their separation.

Animal rights advocates have voiced concerns about Happy’s solitary living arrangement for years. Until 2002, Happy shared her space with another elephant, Grumpy. After both were relocated to an enclosure with elephants Maxine and Patty, Grumpy suffered fatal injuries from a confrontation with them. Maxine and Patty moved away ten years ago, leaving Happy alone.

Following another elephant companion, Sammy’s, death in 2006, the Bronx Zoo decided not to acquire new elephants, leaving Happy without a companion.

The Nonhuman Rights Project has previously represented three Connecticut elephants and four chimpanzees, but their efforts to gain legal rights for the animals have yet to succeed in court.