University of Hawaii-Hilo college students recently helped rescue an endangered Hawksbill sea turtle.

KHON-TV reported Thursday the marine sciences students were at Punaluu Beach to learn about turtles on June 29 when Hawksbill Turtle Recovery Project Coordinator Will Seitz reported one of the animals had gotten stuck in a freshwater pond at the old Punaluu Village Restaurant.

The turtle turned out to be a critically endangered Hawksbill sea turtle. They tried to capture it with a net, but it got into the water and started swimming.

One of the researchers held on to it until other students and researchers were able to help restrain her.

She was 309 pounds, one of the largest Hawksbill turtles ever recorded. She was released to the ocean after being checked for injuries and tagged.