On a sunlit August morning, the Atlantic Ocean welcomed back one of its rarest inhabitants. Elton, a juvenile Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, was released into the surf by the New York Aquarium team after months of intensive rehabilitation. It was a moment that symbolized not just the triumph of one animal, but the ongoing efforts of conservationists up and down the East Coast. As Elton paddled confidently into the waves off Brooklyn, onlookers cheered, reminded of the fragile balance between human care and wild survival.
Elton’s journey began in December 2024, when he was discovered cold-stunned and suffering from hypothermia on the frigid shores of Barnstable, Massachusetts. According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, sea turtles like Elton can become cold-stunned when they fail to migrate south before winter’s chill sets in. For Elton, estimated to be between two and five years old, the odds were stacked against him. Yet, thanks to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, he was nursed back to health through a careful regimen of warming, feeding, and veterinary care.
“Elton’s return to the ocean is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when science, compassionate care, and public support come together,” Leigh Ann Clayton, Director of the New York Aquarium, said as the young turtle disappeared beneath the waves. “This turtle’s journey—from cold-stunned and vulnerable to swimming in the ocean again—embodies the mission we carry every day at the New York Aquarium and across WCS.”
This single release is part of a much larger story unfolding along America’s coasts. Hundreds of sea turtles, many of them endangered, are rescued, rehabilitated, and released each year by organizations committed to their survival. Nowhere is this commitment more evident than at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2025.
Founded on August 14, 1955, the Gulfarium has grown from a modest dolphin habitat into a state-of-the-art marine park and conservation hub. As part of its year-long anniversary celebration, the Gulfarium is offering special admission days—on August 16 and 17, visitors of all ages can enter for just $19.55, a nod to the park’s founding year. The festivities also include an Anniversary Membership Sale from August 10 to 17, giving the public a chance to enjoy unlimited visits at reduced prices. Exclusive events, new exhibits, and community engagement programs are on the docket, promising a year filled with education, entertainment, and conservation.
“We’re incredibly proud to celebrate 70 years of inspiring connections between people and marine life,” said Patrick Berry, CEO at the Gulfarium, in a recent news release. “This milestone is not just about our past — it’s about our future. We’re looking forward to a year filled with community celebration, conservation, and meaningful moments with our animals and guests.”
The park’s commitment to marine conservation is most visible in its C.A.R.E. Center, which has rescued, rehabilitated, and released hundreds of endangered sea turtles along the Gulf Coast. The center’s work is ongoing, with several public turtle releases held each year. “We do a lot for the sea turtle population around here,” said Mary Fromby, marketing manager at the Gulfarium. “The releases are always such an awesome thing.” These events draw crowds of locals and tourists alike, eager to witness the return of these ancient mariners to their natural habitat.
But sea turtles aren’t the only stars at the Gulfarium. In 2023, the park unveiled Dolphin Oasis, a $24 million expansion that provides a sprawling, interactive habitat for its resident dolphins. Visitors can enjoy up-close encounters and dynamic shows in a setting designed to mimic the animals’ natural environment. “It’s such an expansive habitat and provides an up-close experience with the mammals that you’re not going to get at other facilities,” Fromby explained.
Another recent highlight is Manatee Cove, a $3.5 million facility developed in partnership with the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP). This new habitat offers long-term care for rescued manatees, including Romeo, the oldest known manatee in human care at over 70 years old. “They will come right up next to the window ... you just get this incredible experience with them,” Fromby said, describing the personal connection visitors can make with these gentle giants.
The Gulfarium’s history is rich with personal stories and community ties. Rachelle Graves, director of special events at the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, reflected on the park’s evolution: “The Gulfarium is one of the oldest signature businesses in our area. They haven’t just maintained; they have continued to grow. It’s nothing like it used to be ... it’s spectacular, it has transformed. It’s a destination you want to go back to.” Many visitors, like Marie Leibold of Fort Walton Beach and a couple from Chiefland, have made the Gulfarium a tradition, returning with their families year after year.
For longtime staff members, the park is more than just a workplace. Stacy DiDonato, who began at the Gulfarium in 1998 and now manages guest services, said, “I’ve been here half my life. I have views of the manatees and the animals we care for, but also the beach which is one of my favorites.” Her love for the animals and the setting is echoed by Terry Watkins, who worked at the park in the 1960s. “It was the best job I ever had,” Watkins recalled, sharing memories of training dolphins and sea lions, and the unique personalities of each creature.
Located right on the beach near the Okaloosa Island Pier, the Gulfarium is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., with three presentations throughout the day. “You can stay all day, or leave and come back,” Fromby noted, highlighting the park’s flexibility for families and visitors. Admission closes about an hour before the park does, ensuring everyone has time to enjoy the exhibits and shows.
Throughout its 70-year journey, the Gulfarium has remained steadfast in its mission to educate, entertain, and inspire. Its legacy is rooted in innovation and a vision for the future of marine life. As the park invites locals and visitors to be part of its historic celebration, the message is clear: the work of conservation is ongoing, and every rescued animal—like Elton the sea turtle—represents a small but significant victory.
For those curious to learn more about the Gulfarium’s anniversary events, new exhibits, or ways to support marine conservation, details are available at www.gulfarium.com. Whether watching a sea turtle return to the ocean or coming face-to-face with a manatee, visitors are reminded that the wonders of the marine world are closer—and more vulnerable—than they might think.
As the waves closed over Elton’s shell, the crowd on the Brooklyn beach watched in quiet satisfaction. It was, in every sense, a new beginning—for Elton, for the Gulfarium, and for the ongoing story of marine conservation along America’s coasts.
