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. Elto

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