Following an interdisciplinary study aimed at characterizing aquatic turtle populations in the two largest urban parks in the city and the Eurometropolis of Strasbourg and assessing public knowledge, representations and opinions about them (Philippot et al. 2019), the species inventory of the Orangerie and Citadel parks was updated after 4 years of monitoring by photo-identification: in total, 12 species and subspecies, all exotic and some known to be invasive in the natural environment, were observed for a total of more than 80 individuals including newborns. A single specimen of European pond turtle Emys orbicularis contacted in 2019 in the Orangerie Park was brought by a user to a care center. Multi-year monitoring shows that exotic turtles are regularly released in both parks, with exceptional cases of transfers from one park to another. Previous interviews with users and park agents led city services to consider gentle species management, the city is considering the removal and sterilization of all or part of the individuals with their placement in a dedicated park. The objective is to initiate a reflection around a new paradigm on exotic species in the city to contribute to a reconnection of citizens with nature and to make urban parks a new springboard for heritage species.