That is the point that cuts through this whole animal rights are equal to human rights argument. Humans do not even grant the full panopoly of rights to other humans who are incapable of exercising them such as the mentally deficent and children.
Mentally capable humans may disagree with rights but they are at least capable of understanding and comprehending the system of rights. An ape or any other animal cannot understand that. Yes they may defend their right to life but that does not mean they understand the abstract notion of the “Right to life” it merely means they are acting instinctually to protect their genes.
And Player if you respond to this post please read my earlier post about the inherent differences between human reasoning and animal reasoning that goes to our very biology. I do understand that humans are a type of animal but that means nothing. Does the nature of of a wolf mean that it is similar to a bear? No. They have inherent differences. Their only similarity are that they are live and are predators. One is a pack animal to it’s genes and one is not.