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HomeFish and Game CodeDiv. 9Ch. 2§ 12159 Seizure Of Illegal Wildlife

§ 12159 Seizure Of Illegal Wildlife

Fish and Game Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 12159 Seizure Of Illegal Wildlife

This law says that any wildlife, plants, or parts of them that are taken, owned, sold, brought in, or moved against state rules can be taken away by the department, and the person who had them will be told if they can be identified.

Key Takeaways

  • •Any illegal taking, possession, sale, import, or transport of wildlife or plants can be seized.
  • •The state department is the agency that does the seizure.
  • •If the department knows who had the animal or plant, they must give that person a notice of the seizure.

Example

A person catches a protected turtle and tries to sell it at a market.

Because catching and selling that turtle breaks state law, the wildlife department can seize the turtle and will let the seller know they took it, if they know who the seller is.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 12159 Seizure Of Illegal Wildlife

All birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, aquaculture animals and products, plants, or amphibians, or any part thereof, which have been taken, possessed, sold, imported, or transported contrary to any of the laws of this state shall be seized by the department, and, in accordance with the commission’s regulations, notice of seizure shall be given to the person who had possession of the birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, aquaculture animals and products, plants, or amphibians, or any part thereof, at the time of the seizure if that person is known. (Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 294, Sec. 29. (AB 1442) Effective January 1, 2010.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

birdsmammalsfishreptilesaquaculture animals and productsplantsamphibiansseizednotice of seizure

Related Statutes

  • § 12163 Wildlife Purchase Payment Requirement
  • § 1001 Wildlife Taking Authority
  • § 19 Wildlife Possession Limits
  • § 29 Wildlife Taking Prohibition Period
  • § 62 Wildlife Hunting Seasons

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Fish and Game Code. Section 12159.
View Official Source