WEST CARROLLTON, Ohio —

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden recently teamed up with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to help a unique group of Dayton-area students find a new home.

On Sept. 3 and 4, 21 box turtles were discovered in a school courtyard in West Carrollton. The school was slated for demolition at the end of the 2025-26 school year, so the ODNR reached out to the Zoo for help rehoming the animals. Advertisement

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden A Cincinnati Zoo employee helps to gather box turtles living in a school courtyard.

The turtles will be in the care of the Zoo's reptile team for the fall and winter, who will make sure the animals are in good health and won't pose a threat to wild populations when they're released.

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

See Full Page