Fish and Game Code - Chapter 1 of Division 5; Turtles (secs. 5000 - 5002). Country/Territory United States of America Territorial subdivision California Document type Legislation Date 1957 (2015) Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Wild species & ecosystems Keyword Turtles Protection of species Geographical area Americas, Arctic, East Pacific, North America, North Atlantic Abstract This Chapter of Division 6 of the Fish and Game Code of California declares that it shall be unlawful to sell, purchase, harm, take, possess, transport, or shoot a projectile at, a tortoise (Gopherus). This shall not apply to the taking of a tortoise when authorized by the Department of Fish and Game. It shall not be prohibited to possess any tortoise (Gopherus) when the owner can demonstrate that such tortoise was legally acquired and possessed before the effective date of this section. The owner of a tortoise which may be possessed under this Chapter shall mark or otherwise identify such tortoise to the satisfaction of the department, and shall not transfer such tortoise to any other person without prior approval of the Department. Full text English Website leginfo.legislature.ca.gov