Hawaii's top court is weighing whether two zoo elephants have legal rights, a case that could reshape how captive animals are treated nationwide.

• Advocates argue elephants Mari and Vaigai have self-awareness, empathy, and long-term memory, which could give them a "liberty interest" similar to a legal right to not be unjustly confined.
• The case does not claim the zoo is breaking any animal care rules — it's a broader legal question about whether an elephant can count as a "person" in the eyes of the law.
• Experts suggest the two elephants could potentially be evaluated for release back to Asia, though having spent their whole lives in captivity, they may no longer be able to survive in the wild.
• The city's lawyers argue this is a decision for lawmakers to make, not judges.

Outlook: Hawaii's Supreme Court is still considering the arguments, and a ruling could set a precedent for how animals are treated legally beyond just this zoo.