Indie Alaska visited the SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska where they’re caring for Tyonek, the first rehabilitated beluga calf from the Cook Inlet. He was found in September 2017, stranded on a beach with no other beluga whales in sight. They brought him to the SeaLife Center where he has been receiving 24/7 care ever since. Cook Inlet belugas are one of eight endangered species that NOAA Fisheries has identified. This is important for scientists and marine biologists who now have a rare opportunity to study the species up close.
Originally from the Central Coast of California, Valerie joined Alaska Public Media in July 2017. She creates original video content for the station's TV and digital platforms while also overseeing the Production Department. Before moving to Alaska, Valerie worked as an ENG Editor at WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina. She also served in the U.S. Air Force as a TV and Radio Broadcast Journalist where she traveled around Europe, Africa, The Baltics, Australia, and the Southern United States reporting on military events, exercises, and missions. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, backcountry skiing, backpacking, yoga, and traveling.
