[OOC][PLOT] Planning for Arc 1 - Arrivals

[Labster]

Sakaki's pet Maya presented an interesting research case. Importing her, or crossing state lines with her would be a violation of the Endangered Species Act, but there's no prohibition for having her under California law. At the time the ESA was enacted, Iriomote cats were not subject to ESA, but the leopard cat Felis bengalensis was on the list. Iriomote cats have since been moved into the species, with the new genus, as Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis, so they are now endangered species under U.S. law. But the species as a whole is ranked "Least Concern" by the IUCN, meaning that the species isn't endangered at all. Meanwhile, there are roughly 100 remaining Iriomote cats in the world, so the subspecies is critically endangered. The population is declining, due to auto accidents.

So Sakaki will not be violating any law by possessing Maya, but would still be guilty of violating a law beyond a reasonable doubt. So uh, she's a mixed breed? Maybe I can just rely on how President Aria looks (and acts) even weirder.