Endangered Sea Turtle Released Back into Atlantic After Rehabilitation
A juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, named Elton, was successfully returned to the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday, following months of recovery after being found stranded on a beach during the winter.
In December, Elton was discovered on the shores of Barnstable, Massachusetts, in a hypothermic state due to cold-stunning. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) explained that such sea turtles can suffer from this condition when they fail to migrate south in a timely manner to avoid dropping temperatures.
After several months of rehabilitation with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, Elton was released onto a Brooklyn beach by the New York Aquarium. Officials estimate the turtle’s age to be between 2 and 5 years, and it quickly made its way back into the ocean upon being set on the sand.
“The return of Elton to the sea serves as a significant reminder of the impact we can make when scientific research, dedicated care, and community support unite,” stated Leigh Ann Clayton, Director of the New York Aquarium. “This turtle’s transformation—from being cold-stunned and at risk to thriving in the ocean—embodies our mission at the New York Aquarium and throughout WCS.”
Videos from the release captured a gathering of onlookers cheering for the turtle as it swam away, chanting “Elton! Elton! Elton!” in support.
Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are recognized as the smallest sea turtle species globally, typically weighing between 70 and 100 pounds, according to the NOAA. The species was named in honor of Richard M. Kemp, a Florida fisherman who first documented it for scientific classification in 1906.
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