CONEY ISLAND — Earlier this month, a rehabilitated endangered sea turtle was released back into the Atlantic Ocean outside the New York Aquarium.

On Wednesday, Aug. 6, the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, Elton, who is around 2 to 5 years old, swam into the Coney Island waters.

Assemblymember Alec Brook-Krasny. Photo courtesy of WCS

Elton was found stranded in December 2024. He was hypothermic on a beach in Barnstable, MA. Cold stunning occurs when sea turtles fail to migrate south before ocean temperatures drop too low. He was transported to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) for rehabilitation and received special care on Long Island.

According to the NOAA Fisheries website , Kemp’s ridley sea turtles are the smallest sea turtle in the world. The species is named after

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