A Kennesaw couple woke Sunday morning to find a stranger in their yard — an African tortoise.

They called police, who posted a picture on Facebook.

The animal looks healthy and police said they think it’s likely a pet. Within hours, the owners called police and claimed their pet, police said.

People with tortoise pets aren’t as rare as one might think.

A 45-pound tortoise was lost and later returned to an Alpharetta family's home.

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Linda Tran works with staff to prepare large platters for each table during the Thanksgiving Celebration at the First Senior Center on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, in Norcross, Ga. Linda and her sister Von Tran, who jointly operate the First Senior Center, are refugees with a harrowing survival story of leaving Vietnam as children. (Jason Getz / AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

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Atlanta art and antiques appraiser and auctioneer Allan Baitcher (right) takes bids during a 2020 auction. Baitcher and his company, Peachtree Antiques, are being sued by a Florida multimillionaire who says he paid them $20 million for fakes. (AJC 2020)

Credit: Phil Skinner / Staff