Alberta turtle/tortoise laws

[FrogO_Oeyes]

There is no national law prohibiting sale of turtles, nor is there one in the USA. Alberta only prohibits the sale of a few types of aquatic turtles, and only prohibits possession of a few. The two lists are not identical, but they overlap a fair amount.

B.C.'s laws are changing, but have not changed yet. To the best of my knowledge, red-eared sliders are fully legal there. They are, however, not just dumped pets in the wild. They are in fact introduced and breeding in the lower mainland. They seem to be displacing the native painted turtles, which are widespread in BC. Western painted turtles are protected in both BC and Alberta, but not in other provinces.

The American 4" carapace law has been around for 30 years or more. It was enacted because of a few cases of Salmonella and the popularity of 1" baby turtles as throw-away pets for kids. By the time turtles are big enough to sell at retail, they're too big to be sell as novelties.

In fact, turtle-keeping here is getting EASIER. It's only in the last year or so that people have figured out that 20-year-old laws only ban sale of SOME turtles, not ALL turtles. Consequently, a few stores are now starting to sell them again [PetsGo Pets in Leduc, J&J Reptiles in Calgary].

Second, sometime last summer, an existing CFIA ban on the import of certain aquatic turtles into Canada quietly disappeared. Although you still can't import for sale, depending on provincial laws, you can now import ALL turtles legally for personal use. Note that some still require extra permits which may vary a lot in obtainability. Suffice to say, two years ago, a red-ear would be illegal to import. Now it's legal, so long as you apply for the free permit first.

There are no restrictions on turtles in Calgary, and display of red-ears is perfectly legal. Sale is prohibited.

[turtleguy]

Tortoises are perfectly legal to have and buy. I don't think I've seen a Russian for sale in quite a long time though. I know Pieces has a couple of redfoots they got in the other day.

[FrogO_Oeyes]

A few of the legal species I've seen for sale in recent times [mostly the last year or so]:
Chelonoidis carbonaria
Chelonoidis denticulata
Manouria emys
Malacochersus tornieri
Testudo graeca/ibera
Geochelone sulcata
Terrapene carolina
Agrionemys horsfieldi
Cuora amboinensis
Heosemys spinosa
Ocadia sinensis
Sternotherus carinatus
Sternotherus odoratus
Pelusios sp.
Chelus fimbriatus
Carretochelys insculpta
Rhinoclemmys sp.

Illegal species I've seen or heard of for sale:
Chrysemys picta
Trachemys scripta
Graptemys sp.
Chelydra serpentina

[pongpagong]

Hi my question is..my sister in BC is coming here in alberta and she wants to bring map and RES turtles for me..do you think it is ok or it is illegal?please help..I have 3 RES right now,I have rescued it from somebody..if anybody wants one..let me know..thanks!

[FrogO_Oeyes]

Map turtles are illegal to possess in Alberta. Sliders are fine, but they can't be sold.

[slamjay]

Originally Posted by pongpagong

Hi my question is..my sister in BC is coming here in alberta and she wants to bring map and RES turtles for me..do you think it is ok or it is illegal?please help..I have 3 RES right now,I have rescued it from somebody..if anybody wants one..let me know..thanks!

If anyone wants one of the ones you have, or if anyone wants your sister to bring one?

[pongpagong]

Thanks for answering my question,and also thanks to GONESNAKEE who i've spoke on the phone..good thing I knew about the legalities before they bring the map turtle here...I will make sure that the only species to bring here in Alberta is RES not the map..thanks again and God bless!

[pongpagong]

the one i have right now..

[slamjay]

So why are you trying to get rid of the ones you have and have your sister bring you more?

[pongpagong]

No..I've told her not to bring any turtleS anymore..I have 3 and I've adopted them from someone..if any wants 1 or 2 I can give it..if no one likes it I will keep it forever