Coney Island, NY, July 9, 2026—An endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle will be released into the Atlantic Ocean along the beach outside the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium on Thursday, July 16.

The turtle, named Pancake, was recovered by Massachusetts Audubon Society suffering from cold stunning in Duck Harbor Beach, Wellfleet, Massachusetts on Nov 22, 2025. Pancake was transferred from Duck Harbor to the New England Aquarium on November 23rd for triage and medical treatment. On Dec 3, Pancake and 24 other Kemp’s ridley sea turtles were transferred to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) sea turtle triage facility in Westhampton Beach, NY,  for treatment and rehabilitation.

Pancake weighs 11 pounds and is likely 2-5 years old. Pancake has made a strong recovery, demonstrating confident swimming behavior, particularly while pursuing food, and maintains a healthy diet of shrimp and clams. The turtle’s sex is unknown as that would require a blood test which is not needed for rehabilitation.

The turtle's release back into the wild is a celebration of its recovery and the state funding that supports this work and keeps our ocean, coasts, and all who rely on them, healthy. The coast off Coney Island is part of the New York Bight, from Cape May, NJ, to Montauk NY, where WCS conducts science to protect wildlife there including whales and sharks.

Pancake is one of 25 patients transferred to AMSEAS this season and one of 125 sea turtles that have entered AMSEAS Sea Turtle Care Facility since 2020.

The event will highlight the importance of New York's ocean and the role that the New York State Environmental Protection Fund plays in supporting the health of the ocean. In 1993, New York State enacted the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), and in 2006 the Ocean and Great Lakes Program line was added to the EPF. The Ocean and Great Lakes Program line is the state's main source of funding for science and projects that protect and restore ocean and coastal health.

What:

Release of an endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle into the Atlantic Ocean

When:

10:30 a.m. sharp, Thursday, July 16 (Reporters should arrive by 10:00 a.m.)

Where:

On the beach behind the New York Aquarium

602 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224

Who:

  • Antonia Pereira, Regional Director, Region 2, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (confirmed as of July 7)
  • Pancake, an endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle
  • TBD: New York State Department of State
  • Representatives from Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS); Wildlife Conservation Society/New York Aquarium; Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC); Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCE); The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
  • TBD local elected officials
  • New York Aquarium camp participants and high school youth leaders

Special Note to Reporters:

Reporters will be allowed free access to the New York Aquarium parking lot at 602 Surf Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11224. Call Nat Moss at 917-922-4670 upon arrival or with any questions. All press should arrive at 10:00 a.m. and head directly to the boardwalk behind the New York Aquarium.

###