Chimpanzees cannot be considered people. This was the ruling handed out by the Austrian Supreme Court Tuesday.

The decision was made in response to a plea made by a local animal rights group requesting to be granted guardianship of two chimpanzees, after the shelter where they have lived in for 25 years declared bankruptcy. The two chimps, Matthew Hiasl Pan and Rosi, were at risk of being left without a home.

Donations for the welfare of the animals was considered. However, Austrian law proclaims that only people are eligible to accept gifts and donations.

Taking action, the Association Against Animal Factories filed for the chimps to be considered person, a ruling that would allow them to take the necessary actions for the animals' survival.

The ruling made by the high court followed a September dismissal of the same case. In the dismissal, however, the court failed to address the question regarding whether or not the chimpanzees could be declared people

The animal rights group is planning on taking the case to the European Court of Human Rights.