SOURCE:
https://pix11.com/news/local-news/brooklyn/young-sea-turtle-elton-released-at-coney-island-a-beacon-of-hope-for-conservation/ (video included)
Story by Cory McGinnis - August 6, 2025
CONEY ISLAND, Brooklyn (PIX11) — A young sea turtle named Elton made a swift and inspiring return to the wild waters off Coney Island Wednesday, marking an encouraging moment for sea turtle conservation efforts.
The endangered Kemp’s ridley turtle was found cold-stunned on a Massachusetts beach in December 2024 and has since undergone rehabilitation thanks to dedicated partnerships and community support.
Leighann Clayton, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium on Coney Island, spoke about the significance of the event, saying, “We will see Elton go back into the ocean, which is always an exciting moment.”
Clayton explained that cold-stunning—a condition where turtles fail to migrate south before the water cools—is now a common challenge on the East Coast. Elton, estimated to be between two and five years old, was cared for and rehabilitated by the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) on Long Island.
Clayton highlighted the extensive network of organizations involved:
“We have a very large sea turtle stranding network … because we do all of the stranding work under specific license from the federal government. There’s a large network of folks that come together to provide homes and rehab spaces for animals when they need it.”
Robert A. DiGiovanni, Jr., founder and chief scientist of AMSEAS, shared that Elton is the 91st sea turtle their team has released since starting rehabilitation efforts in 2020, filling a vital role when other facilities reduced operations during the pandemic.
“That’s 91 more endangered species swimming around the ocean today,” he noted.
Onshore, campers and spectators held signs saying “Good Luck Elton” and expressed excitement as they witnessed the turtle’s release. Christina Huang, a discovery guide leader at the New York Aquarium who grew up near the seaside, reflected, “This was a great experience here at the New York Aquarium. Like I grew up here like on the seaside. I only live a few stops away from here, and it’s just such a unique experience.”
As Elton disappeared into the Atlantic waves, Clayton reflected on the broader impact of this release.
“When we rescue, rehabilitate, and release an animal back into its habitat, we really are feeling that there’s a chance that individual animal could be contributing to stabilization of the entire population.”
