§671. Importation, Transportation and Possession of Live Restricted Animals.
(a) It shall be unlawful to import, transport, or possess alive animals restricted in subsection (c) below except under permit issued by the Department of Fish and Game. Permits may be issued by the department as specified herein and for purposes designated in Section 671.1 subject to the conditions and restrictions designated by the department. Except for mammals listed in Fish and Game Code Section 3950 or live aquatic animals requiring a permit pursuant to Fish and Game Code Section 2271, no permit is required by this section for any animal being imported, transported, or possessed pursuant to any other permit issued by the department. Cities and counties may also prohibit possession or require a permit for these and other species not requiring a state permit.
(b) The commission has determined the below listed animals are not normally domesticated in this state. Mammals listed to prevent the depletion of wild populations and to provide for animal welfare are termed “welfare animals”, and are designated by the letter “W”. Those species listed because they pose a threat to native wildlife, the agriculture interests of the state or to public health or safety are termed “detrimental animals” and are designated by the letter “D”. The department shall include the list of welfare and detrimental wild animals as part of DFG MANUAL NO. 671 (2/25/92) IMPORTATION, TRANSPORTATION AND POSSESSION OF RESTRICTED SPECIES, to be made available to all permittees and other interested individuals.
(c) Restricted species include:
(1) Class Aves–Birds
(A) Family Alaudidae–Larks
Alauda arvensis (Skylark) (D).
(B) Family Cuculidae–Cuckoos
All species (D).
(C) Family Corvidae–Crows, Ravens, Rooks, Jackdaws
All species (D).
(D) Family Turdidae–Thrushes, Blackbirds, Fieldfare
1. Turdus merula (European blackbird) (D).
2. Turdus viscivorus (Missel thrush) (D).
3. Turdus pilaris (Fieldfare) (D).
4. Turdus musicus (Song thrush) (D).
(E) Family Sturnidae–Starlings, Mynahs
All species (D), except Sturnus vulgaris (Starling), Gracula religiosa or Eulabes religiosa (Hill mynahs), and Leucopsar rothschildi (Rothchild’s mynah) are not restricted.
(F) Family Ploceidae–Sparrows, Weavers, Queleas
1. Genus Passer (Sparrow)
All species (D), except Passer domesticus (English house sparrow) is not restricted.
2. Foudia madagascariensis (Madagascar weaver) (D).
3. Ploceus baya (Baya weaver) (D).
4. Genus Quelea (Queleas)–All species (D).
(G) Family Estrildidae–Waxbills, Munias, Ricebirds
1. Padda oryzivora (Java sparrow) (D).
(H) Family Emberizidae–Yellowhammer
Emberiza citrinella (Yellowhammer) (D).
(I) Order Falconiformes–Falcons, Eagles, Hawks, Vultures
1. Vultures All species (D)
2. Falcons, Eagles, Hawks (D)
(J) Order Strigiformes–Owls
All species (D)
(K) Family Pyconotidae–Bulbuls or Fruit Thrushes
Pycnonotus jocosus (Red-whiskered bulbul) (D).
(L) Family Zosteropidae–Whiteeyes
Genus Zosterops (Whiteeyes)–All species (D).
(M) Family Psittacidae–Parrots, Parakeets
Myiopsitta monachus (Monk or Quaker parakeet) (D).
(2) Class Mammalia–Mammals
(A) Order Primates–Monkeys, Apes
All species (W), except Family Hominidae–not restricted.
(B) Order Edendata–Sloths, Anteaters, Armadillos, etc.
All species:
1. Family Dasypodidae–Armadillos–All Species (D).
2. Family Bradypodidae–Sloths–(W).
3. Family Myrmecophagidae–Anteaters–(W).
(C) Order Marsupialia–Marsupials or Pouched Animals
All species (W).
(D) Order Insectivora–Shrews, Moles, Hedgehogs, etc.
All species (D).
(E) Order Dermoptera–Gliding Lemurs
All species (D).
(F) Order Chiroptera–Bats
All species (D).
(G) Order Monotremata–Spiny Anteaters, Platypuses
All Species (W).
(H) Order Pholidota–Pangolins or Scaly Anteaters
All species (W).
(I) Order Lagomorpha–Pikas, Rabbits, and Hares
All species, (D), except domesticated races of rabbits and hares of the Family Leporidae–not restricted.
(J) Order Rodentia–Hamsters, Field Mice, Voles, Muskrats, Gerbils, Squirrels, Chipmunks, Woodchucks, and Prairie Dogs
1. All species (D), except:
a. Ondatra zibethica (Muskrats)–Not restricted under conditions set forth in Fish and Game Code Section 2250;
b. Domesticated races of golden hamsters of the species Mesocricetus auratus and domesticated races of dwarf hamsters of the Genus Phodopus not restricted;
c. Domesticated races of rats or mice (white or albino; trained, dancing or spinning, laboratory-reared) not restricted;
d. Domesticated races of guinea pigs of the species Cavia porcellus not restricted; and
e. Domesticated races of chinchillas of the species Chinchilla laniger not restricted.
(K) Order Carnivora–Raccoons, Ringtailed Cats, Kinkajous, Coatis, Cacomistles, Weasels, Ferrets, Skunks, Polecats, Stoats, Mongoose, Civets, Wolves, Foxes, Coyotes, Lions, Tigers, Ocelots, Bobcats, Servals, Leopards, Jaguars, Cheetahs, Bears, etc.
1. Family Felidae–All species (W) except:
a. Acinonyx jubatus (cheetahs)–(D).
b. Domestic cats and hybrids of domestic cats are not restricted.
2. Family Canidae–All species (W).
a. Wolf hybrids Canis familiaris (domestic dog) x Canis lupus (wolf).
i. Any F1 (first) generation wolf hybrid whelped on or before February 4, 1988 may be possessed under permit from the department.
ii. No state permit is required to possess the progeny of F1 generation wolf hybrids, but cities and counties may prohibit possession or require a permit.
b. Domesticated dogs are not restricted.
3. Family Viverridae–All species (D).
4. Family Procyonidae–All species–(D), except:
a. Ailuris fulgens (Lesser Panda)–(W).
b. Aiuropoda melanoleuca (Giant panda)–(W).
c. Bassariscus astutus (Ringtail or Ringtailed cat)–(W).
d. Jentinkia sumichrasti (Mexican and Central American Cacomistle)–(W).
5. Family Mustelidae–All species (D), except:.
a. Ambloynx cinerea (Oriental small-clawed otter)–(W).
b. Aonyx capensis (African clawless otter)–(W).
c. Pteronura brasiliensis (Giant otter)–(W).
d. All species of Genus Lutra (River otters)–(W).
6. All others–(W).
(L) Order Tubulidentata–Aardvarks
All species–(W).
(M) Order Proboscidae–Elephants
All species–(W).
(N) Order Hyracoidae–Hyraxes
All species–(W).
(O) Order Sirenia–Dugongs, Manatees
All species–(W).
(P) Order Perissodactyla–Horses, Zebras, Tapirs, Rhinoceroses, etc.
All species (W), except Family Equidae is not restricted.
(Q) Order Artiodactyla–Swine, Peccaries, Camels, Deer, Elk, Moose, Antelopes, Cattle, Goats, Sheep, etc.
All species (D) except:
1. Bos taurus and Bos indicus (Domestic cattle); Bos grunniens (Yak); Bubalus bulalis (Asian water buffalo); Ovis aries (Domestic sheep); Capra hircus (Domestic goat); Sus scrofa domestica (Domestic swine); Llama glama (Llama); Llama pacos (Alpaca); Llama guanicoe (Guanaco); Hybrids of llama, alpaca and guanacos; Camelus bactrianus and Camelus dromedarius (Camels); and Bison bison (American bison), are not restricted.
2. Permits may be issued for species of Elk (Genus Cervus) which are already maintained within California; and
3. Permits may be issued pursuant to Section 676, Title 14, CCR, for importing, breeding, slaughter and sale of the meat and other parts of fallow deer (Dama dama) for commercial purposes.
(3) Class Amphibia–Frogs, Toads, Salamanders
(A) Family Bufonidae–Toads
Bufo marinus, Bufo paracnemis, Bufo horribilis (Giant toad or marine toad group) and all other large toads from Mexico and Central and South America-(D).
(B) Family Pipidae–Tongueless Toads
All species of the Genus Xenopus-(D).
(C) Family Ambystomatidae-Mole Salamanders
All species of the genus Ambystoma (tiger salamanders)-D
(4) Class Agnatha–Jawless Fishes
(A) Family Petromyzontidae–Lampreys
All nonnative species (D).
(5) Class Osteichthyes–Bony Fishes
(A) Family Percichthyidae–Temperate Basses
1. The species Morone americana (White perch) (D).
2. The species Morone chrysops (White bass) (D).
(B) Family Clupeidae–Herrings
Dorosoma cepedianum (Gizzard shad) (D).
(C) Family Sciaenidae–Drums
Aplodinotus grunniens (freshwater drum) (D).
(D) Family Characidae–Characins
1. Astyanax fasciatus (Banded tetra) (D).
2. All species of the genera Serrasalmus, Serrasalmo, Pygocentrus, Taddyella, Rooseveltiella, and Pygopristis (Piranhas) (D).
3. Hoplias malabaricus (Tiger fish) (D).
(E) Family Salmonidae–Trouts
Salmo salar (Atlantic salmon)–Restricted in the Smith River watershed (D).
(F) Family Lepisosteidae–Gars
All species (D).
(G) Family Amiidae–Bowfins
All species (D).
(H) Family Poeciliidae–Livebearers
Belonesox belizanus (Pike killifish) (D).
(I) Family Channidae–Snakeheads
All species (D).
(J) Family Cyprinidae–Carps and Minnows
1. Leuciscus idus (ide) (D).
2. Ctenopharyngodon idellus (Grass carp) (D), except that permits may be issued to a person, organization or agency for possession of triploid grass carp, under conditions set forth in Section 238.6.
3. Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Silver carp) (D).
4. Aristichthys nobilis (Bighead carp) (D).
(K) Family Trichomycteridae (Pygidiidae)–Parasitic Catfishes.
All species (D).
(L) Family Cetopsidae–Whalelike Catfishes.
All species (D).
(M) Family Clariidae–Labyrinth Catfishes
All species of the genera Clarias, Dinotopterus, and Heterobranchus (D).
(N) Family Heteropneustidae (Saccobranchidae)–Airsac Catfishes
All species (D).
(O) Family Cichlidae–Cichlids
1. Tilapia sparrmani (Banded Tilapia) (D).
2. Tilapia zilli (Redbelly tilapia) (D), except permits may be issued to a person or agency for importation, transportation, or possession in the counties of San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial.
3. Tilapia aurea (Blue tilapia) (D).
4. Tilapia nilotica (Nile tilapia) (D).
(P) Family Anguillidae–Freshwater Eels.
All species of genus Anguilla (D).
(Q) Family Esocidae–Pikes all species (D).
(R) Family Percidae–Perches
1. Perca flavescens (Yellow perch) (D).
2. Stizostedion vitreum (Walleye) (D).
(S) Family Catostomidae–Suckers
All members of the genus Ictiobus (Buffalos) (D).
(T) Family Cyprinodontidae-Killifishes
Cyprinodon variegatus (Sheepshead minnow) (D).
(6) Class Elasmobranchiomorphi–Cartilaginous Fishes
(A) Family Carcharhinidae–Requiem Sharks
All species of genus Carcharhinus (Freshwater sharks) (D).
(B) Family Potamotrygonidae–River stingrays
All species (D).
(7) Class Reptilia–Reptiles
(A) Order Crocodilia–Crocodiles, Caimans, Alligators and Gavials
All species (D).
(B) Family Chelyridae–Snapping Turtles
All species (D).
(C) Family Elapidae–Cobras, Coral Snakes, Mambas, Kraits, etc.
All species (D).
(D) Family Viperidae–Adders and Vipers
All species (D).
(E) Family Crotalidae–Pit Vipers
All species (D), except Crotalus viridis (Western rattlesnake), Crotalus atrox (Western diamondback rattlesnake), Crotalus ruber (red diamondback rattlesnake), Crotalus scutulatus (Mojave rattlesnake), Crotalus mitchelli (speckled rattlesnake) and Crotalus cerastes (Sidewinder) not restricted.
(F) Family Colubridae–Colubrids
1. Dispholidus typus (Boomslang) (D).
2. Theoltornis kitlandii (Bird or vine snake) (D).
(G) Family Helodermatidae
1. Heloderma suspectum suspectum (reticulate Gila monster) (D).
(8) Class Crustacea–Crustaceans
(A) All species of Family Cambaridae–Crayfish, etc. (D), except Procambarus clarkii and Orconectes virilis not restricted.
(B) All species of genus Eriocheir (D).
(9) Class Gastropoda–Slugs, Snails
All nonnative species of slugs and land snails (D), except:
(A) Rumina decollata (decollate snail) in the counties of San Bernardino, Riverside, Imperial, Orange, San Diego, Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, Fresno, Madera, Tulare and Santa Barbara not restricted with the concurrence of the appropriate county agricultural commissioners.
(B) Helix aspersa (brown garden snail) not prohibited.
(10) Class Bivalvia-Bivalves
All members of the genus Dreissena (zebra mussels)–(D).
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