A rehabilitated sea turtle returned to the wild in Coney Island Thursday.
The endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, named Pancake, was released into the Atlantic Ocean along the beach outside the New York Aquarium, the Wildlife Conservation Society said.
What You Need To Know
Pancake the sea turtle was released into the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday
Pancake was rescued from a beach in Massachusetts after suffering from “cold stunning”
A crowd gathered on the beach in Coney Island as Pancake made its way into the ocean
Representatives from different environmental organizations, elected officials, New York Aquarium campers and youth leaders gathered on the beach and chanted, “Pancake, Pancake, Pancake!” as the turtle confidently made its way into the ocean.
The Massachusetts Audubon Society rescued Pancake in November of 2025 from Duck Harbor Beach in Massachusetts after the sea turtle suffered from “cold stunning,” a condition that is like hypothermia.
Pancake was transferred to the New England Aquarium for treatment, and was later sent to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society in Westhampton Beach alongside 24 other Kemp’s ridley sea turtles, where they all received treatment and rehabilitation, according to WCS.
(Courtesy of the Wildlife Conservation Society)
“Pancake weighs 11 pounds and is likely 2-5 years old,” WCS said in a release. “Pancake has made a strong recovery, demonstrating confident swimming behavior, particularly while pursuing food, and maintains a healthy diet of shrimp and clams.”
Pancake is among the 125 sea turtles who have entered the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society’s Sea Turtle Care Facility since 2020, according to WCS.
Pancake’s return to the ocean was part of the New York State Environmental Protection Fund and its Oceans and Great Lakes Program’s wildlife rehabilitation efforts, WCS said.