Killer whale, Lolita, may win federal protection later this month when NOAA/NMFS rules on her status and possibly inclusion under the Endangered Species Act Later this month, the National Oceanic and and Atmospheric Administration is scheduled to decide whether to include the 20-foot orca in a family of wild killer whales declared endangered in 2005. With over 17,000 public comments mostly in support, Lolita will likely make the list. “Lolita has a moment right now,” said Ocean Drive founder and former publisher Jerry Powers, who first tried to buy the whale in 1995. “We have a shot at getting her out and it has to be really, really fast.” But federal regulators and attorneys say the law is not so clear. Unlike wild endangered species that require a permit typically only granted for research or rebuilding populations, Lolita’s listing includes a clause that exempts captive animals. miamiherald/…/community/…/article6721593.html
Posted on: Fri, 16 Jan 2015 19:41:55 +0000
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