[Above photo: Pancake, a rescued Endangered Kemp’s Ridley turtle returned to the sea at 1:13pm EST on July 23, 2026. As a crowd on the Atlantic Ocean beach outside the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium in Coney Island cheered: “Pancake, Pancake, Pancake!" Credit: Mary Dixon ©️Wildlife Conservation Society]

Coney Island, NY, July 23, 2026—An Endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle named Pancake successfully returned to the Atlantic Ocean today outside the Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium, marking the culmination of months of rehabilitation and celebrating the New York State Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and the partnerships that make marine wildlife conservation possible.

Pancake returned to the sea at 1:13pm EST. As crowds cheered: “Pancake, Pancake, Pancake!”

Representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), New York State Department of State (DOS), Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), environmental organizations, elected officials, and New York Aquarium campers and youth leaders, gathered on the beach as Pancake confidently made its way back into the ocean.

Pancake, an Endangered juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle estimated to be between two and five years old, was found suffering from cold stunning on Nov. 22, 2025, at Duck Harbor Beach in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. After being rescued by the Massachusetts Audubon Society, Pancake was transported to the New England Aquarium for emergency triage and medical treatment before being transferred on Dec. 3 to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society's Sea Turtle Care Facility in Westhampton Beach, where the turtle underwent months of specialized rehabilitation.

Now weighing approximately 11 pounds, Pancake made a full recovery, demonstrating strong swimming behavior while actively pursuing food and maintaining a healthy diet of shrimp and clams before being cleared for release. The turtle's sex remains unknown, as determining sex requires blood testing that is unnecessary during rehabilitation.

Pancake is one of 25 sea turtles transferred to AMSEAS for rehabilitation during this cold-stunning season and one of 125 sea turtles treated at the organization's Sea Turtle Care Facility since 2020.

Today's release of Pancake celebrated the New York State Environmental Protection Fund, which supports critical ocean conservation, wildlife rehabilitation, marine science, and coastal restoration efforts through its Ocean and Great Lakes Program. Established in 1993, with the Ocean and Great Lakes Program added after that, the EPF remains the state's primary source of funding for projects that protect and restore New York's marine ecosystems.

The celebration highlighted the ecological importance of the New York Bight, the stretch of ocean extending from Cape May, New Jersey, to Montauk, New York. One of the most biologically productive marine ecosystems on the East Coast, the Bight provides important habitat and migration routes for Endangered sea turtles, whales, dolphins, sharks, rays, seabirds, and countless fish species. For decades, Wildlife Conservation Society scientists have conducted pioneering research throughout the New York Bight, advancing the understanding and conservation of this extraordinary marine ecosystem while helping inform management decisions that protect New York's ocean wildlife for future generations.

Representatives from the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, Wildlife Conservation Society/New York Aquarium, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, New York League of Conservation Voters, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and local elected officials joined together to highlight the importance of sustained investments in ocean conservation and wildlife recovery.

“The care and release of Pancake is an inspiration to all of us who work so hard to preserve and restore our endangered ocean species and habitats,” said New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “Through Governor Hochul’s unprecedented investments in the State Environmental Protection Fund, New York State is leading the nation in its stewardship of our Atlantic Ocean and Great Lakes ecosystems.”  

“Release events shed important light on the recovery efforts of these highly endangered sea turtle species,” New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's Martin Gary, Director of Division of Marine Resources said. “New York State's Environmental Protection Fund plays a vital role in continuously supporting opportunities that protect not only wildlife that lives in our marine waters, but also New York’s dynamic and diverse coastal ecosystems. By restoring ocean health, we are investing in a stronger, more resilient future for New Yorkers and the natural resources that support our communities.”

John F. Calvelli, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Wildlife Conservation Society, said: "Every Kemp's ridley returned to the ocean is a victory for one of the world's most endangered sea turtle species. Pancake's release reminds us that New Yorkers share our ocean with sea turtles, whales, dolphins, sharks, and countless other remarkable marine species. For decades, Wildlife Conservation Society scientists have conducted groundbreaking research throughout the New York Bight to better understand and protect this extraordinary marine ecosystem. We are proud to work alongside AMSEAS, New York State, and our many conservation partners to celebrate the Environmental Protection Fund, which gives threatened and Endangered wildlife a second chance while advancing the science, rehabilitation, and stewardship needed to protect the waters and marine life of the New York Bight for generations to come." 

Robert A. DiGiovanni, Jr., Executive Director/Chief Scientist, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS), said: 
"This release reflects the power of strong partnerships and an engaged community. Every successful rehabilitation begins with someone reporting an animal in need, and we are grateful to the public, our partners, and the dedicated responders who make these outcomes possible. For more than three decades, AMSEAS' staff has worked alongside the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and fellow conservation organizations to protect whales, dolphins, seals, and sea turtles in New York's waters. As strandings continue to increase, continued support through the Environmental Protection Fund is essential to advancing marine conservation and giving endangered animals like this sea turtle a second chance."

Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director, Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said:
"New York's waters are rich with a diverse group of marine species—sea turtles, seals, dolphins, and large whales. These magnificent creatures bring the public joy and hope that restoration efforts are working. This is why New York has championed programs investing in the health of our oceans, estuaries, and Great Lakes. Funding through the Environmental Protection Fund for whale monitoring, sea turtle research and rehabilitation, and water quality improvements helps us protect these productive, rich water bodies and all the beautiful species that live there. Pancake is a visible symbol that restoration efforts are working. Our ocean faces new challenges, but even saving one sea turtle at a time we can make a difference."

Carl LoBue, Director of Oceans and Fisheries for The Nature Conservancy in New York, said:
"The Nature Conservancy is pleased to celebrate Pancake's rehabilitation. We thank the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society team for their ongoing recovery efforts and the many volunteers who search our beaches for cold-stunned sea turtles each fall. The Nature Conservancy commends Governor Hochul and members of the New York State Senate and Assembly for providing record funding through the Environmental Protection Fund to undertake projects like these that benefit people and wildlife throughout our great state. Thanks to EPF grants, marine animals like Pancake can recover and return to the sea."

Alison Chase, Director of Marine Protected Areas at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), said:
"Our ocean supports New York's multi-billion-dollar marine economy, thousands of jobs, and outdoor recreation. New Yorkers need a strong Environmental Protection Fund to help protect marine habitats and aquatic species. Ocean life is stressed by warmer, more acidic waters, and decades of habitat loss and pollution. As we celebrate this sea turtle's return to the wild today, we are also celebrating the Environmental Protection Fund that makes it possible to keep our ocean healthy."

Alisha Deen-Steindler, Legislative Advocate, New York League of Conservation Voters, said:
"The Environmental Protection Fund is one of the most effective tools for safeguarding clean water, healthy coastal ecosystems, rehabilitating marine mammals, and providing New Yorkers access to zoos, botanical gardens, and aquaria. Pancake's return to the Atlantic is an important reminder of what well-funded conservation efforts can achieve, and NYLCV is proud to sponsor this celebration and support the partnerships and investments that make stories like this possible."

Event Partners:
·       Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS)
·       Wildlife Conservation Society / New York Aquarium
·       Citizens Campaign for the Environment
·       Natural Resources Defense Council
·       The Nature Conservancy
·       New York League of Conservation Voters

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