Apes in Spain to Get 'Human' Rights

Spain's parliament has voted in favor of legislation to give apes rights similar to those of humans, in what is being seen as a world first.

The ruling protects apes from "abuse, torture and death" as part of the Great Ape Project, according to a report in The Times.

Though Spain has no wild apes of its own (apart from in the British enclave of Gibraltar), the new legislation prohibits keeping gorillas, chimpanzees or orangutans for circuses or television commercials.

The move has puzzled animal rights activists, especially as bullfighting in Spain still taints the country's image abroad.

Others have accused Spain of wasting time when the country is experiencing a food and petrol price crisis.

What do you think of the new ruling? Is it a good thing that Spain is "breaking the species barrier" or should Spain concentrate on issues that really matter? Leave your comments below.