"This is a safe environment for them in the meantime, but we think they are big enough that most predators will leave them alone, such as the great blue heron and hawks," Zeigler said.

Zeigler said the zoo will give 12 other Blanding's turtles that are currently part of the zoo's Dragonfly Marsh exhibit back the DuPage County Forest Preserve officials this fall to help bolster the population in the preserves.