Yellow-footed Tortoises

[dragonmetalhead]

So my friend's boyfriend's aunt has this tortoise she is considering giving to her nephew. My friend told me it was a Russian tortoise but when she sent me a pic on my phone, it was a yellow-footed tortoise, Chelonoidis denticulata. No other species I've seen has big yellow patches on the face like that. Anyways, as yellow foots are protected under Appendix II of CITES I was worried that it might be illegal for my friend's aunt to even have the animal in the first place. Is this species legal to keep as a oet in California?

 

[numarix]

Hey man, Check out Long island Tortoise Rescue on google they are Nation wide and are very good they can help.

 

[Kebechet]

CITES is international law- it only applies to international transportation of the animals or their parts. It has nothing to do with local law saying you can or cannot have the animal. They are classified as vulnerable, but not endangered. I doubt it's illegal to keep, unless it's a potential invasive threat.