For nearly a century, gray wolves have not been seen in the state of California, but recently OR7, a lone gray wolf, has wandered into the state, alarming ranch owners across the state.  They do not see the return of this predator as a good sign like most environmentalists do.

OR7, and two and a half year old male gray wolf, came from a pack in Wallowa County in Oregon, where researchers began tracking him with a GPS collar.  Right now he is the only one of his kind in California, and thus environmentalists are not worried about his hunting patterns, as he will probably feed on carcasses since he is alone.

Ranchers of the state are not so sure of how well their animals will fare against the gray wolves if this one loner brings in a pack.  One rancher, Jack Hanson, claims that if there were no regulations he and his family would shoot the wolf to ensure he does not reproduce and bring back gray wolves to the state.

Unfortunately for Mr. Hanson and others who feel the way he does, there are regulations.  Gray wolves are deemed an endangered species in the state of California under the Endangered Species Act.  The reason this came to be is because back in 1924 hunters killed the last wolf in the state, an act that came around during a time when people were convinced that wolves were vicious man-eaters that had to be stopped.

Biologists do not know if the wolf will remain in California or wander back to its original home in Oregon, or even if it will continue on to Nevada.  OR7’s travels are typical behavior in male wolves his age who are seeking a new pack or even a mate.  State regulators say they do not have a management plan for the protection of the wolves nor do they intend to actively reintroduce the animals to the state, but they do remain protected under federal law.

Forty years ago a young killer whale was captured just off of Whidbey Island and sold to Florida as a theme park attraction.  Today she is known as Lolita, the performing whale of the Miami Seaquarium.  She may soon see freedom again though as animal-rights activists petition for her release under the terms of the Endangered Species Act.

The Endangered Species Act, or ESA, came into legislation in 1973.  The law states it is illegal to “take” an animal that is on the list of endangered species, where “‘take’ means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect” an animal on said list.

Under this stipulation, animal-rights activists are claiming the continued holding of Lolita the killer whale should be considered harassment.  Because the law suit is against federal government and not the Miami Seaquarium itself legal experts believe the case could present less hurdles.  The implications of the case could reach out farther and apply to other zoos and theme parks with captive animals.

Many are still skeptical though about how well the move will work.  Patrick Parenteau, a law professor at the University of Vermont, does not think the law will apply to an animal captured before the legislation came into play.

The problem with releasing a whale that has been held in captivity so long is the chance of survival.  The Miami Seaquarium argues since she has come to trust humans such behavior could prove detrimental to her survival if released into Puget Sound, where orcas were recently listed as an endangered species, because of all the human activity that goes on around there.

Whatever the outcome of this case, it is sure to affect the future of all other animals captured prior to the passing of the Endangered Species Act.