>> reporter: johnny was sent to portugal. there zoologists determined he belonged near the gulf. after three years of paperwork, a portuguese airline who shared this video brought johnny to florida in november. since then marine staff prepared him for today. at first he didn't seem that excited. >> he hasn't been on sand probably in three or four years, and so we were just trying to be encouraging. moved him close to the water. let him get acclimated to the temperature change. >> reporter: with a little help this determined reptile that beat the odds and survived his long journey to much colder waters, took his first few paddles back into the gulf. with a transmitter on his back, researchers will track his movements and compare them to the same species of turtle. >> they're such an endangered species it is so important every egg counts. >> every time you return an animal where it belongs that is a good thing. that does warm your heart. >> taylor vincent, abc news.