ORLANDO, Fla. -- SeaWorld Orlando rescue team returned 16 Kemp's ridley sea turtles to the waters near Canaveral National Seashore earlier this week.

• 16 endangered sea turtles returned to ocean
• Turtles received months of treatment at SeaWorld Orlando
• SeaWorld has rescued more than 2,000 sea turtles since 1980

Fifteen of the endangered turtles spent months at SeaWorld's critical care facility after they were rescued last Decemeber.

The Massachusetts Audubon Society found the cold-stunned turtles off the coast of New England. The turtles were stablized before being sent to Orlando for rehabilitation.

One turtle was rescued earlier this year from the Atlantic Coast. 

SeaWorld's team performed examinations on each turtle to determine the best treatment. In addition to being cold-stunned, some of the turtles had corneal ulcers and pneumonia.

Before being cleared to return to the ocean, the turtles received antibiotics and special diets. 

Kemp's ridley sea turtles are the most endangered species of sea turtle. Nest disruption, habitat loss and human interference have lead to population declines. 

Since 1980, SeaWorld has held rescued more than 2,000 sea turtles. 

If you see an injured marine animal, you're asked to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission hotline at 888-404-3922.