Conestee Nature Preserve Seeks Missing Baby Turtle, Suspects Theft

Officials believe someone took the rescued box turtle from the nature playscape on Friday afternoon.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:37pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph depicting a blurred, hazy scene of a nature playscape with indistinct shapes of plants and natural elements, conveying a sense of mystery and loss surrounding the missing rescued turtle.The disappearance of a vulnerable rescued turtle from a community nature preserve raises concerns about protecting local wildlife.Greenville Today

The Conestee Nature Preserve in Greenville, South Carolina is asking the public for help in locating a missing baby box turtle named Michelle. The staff believes someone took the rescued turtle from the nature playscape on Friday around 2 p.m. Officials say Michelle cannot survive on her own and needs special care, and they are urging the person who took her to return the turtle to the preserve's main office or to staff at the playscape on Saturday.

Why it matters

The Conestee Nature Preserve is an important community resource that provides educational opportunities and protects local wildlife. The disappearance of this vulnerable rescued turtle is concerning and highlights the need to be vigilant about protecting the preserve's animals and natural habitats.

The details

According to the preserve, Michelle is a rescue box turtle who cannot survive on her own in the wild. Staff believe someone took the turtle from the nature playscape on Friday afternoon around 2 p.m. while they were not looking. The preserve is asking anyone with information about Michelle's whereabouts to contact them immediately, and they are offering the option for the person who took her to return her to the main office or to staff at the playscape on Saturday.

  • Michelle went missing on Friday, April 3, 2026 around 2 p.m.
  • The preserve will have staff at the Nature Playscape on Saturday, April 4, 2026 for the person who took Michelle to return her.

The players

Conestee Nature Preserve

A nature preserve in Greenville, South Carolina that provides educational opportunities and protects local wildlife.

Michelle

A rescued baby box turtle that went missing from the Conestee Nature Preserve's nature playscape.

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What’s next

The preserve will have staff at the Nature Playscape on Saturday, April 4, 2026 for the person who took Michelle to return her.

The takeaway

The disappearance of this vulnerable rescued turtle highlights the importance of protecting the animals and natural habitats within community nature preserves. The Conestee Nature Preserve is urging the public to help locate Michelle and return her safely so she can receive the specialized care she needs.