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First Rehabilitated Cook Inlet Beluga Calf | INDIE ALASKA

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.

Valerie Lake worked at Alaska Public Media from 2017 to 2025. She was the managing producer for Indie Alaska, director for Alaska Insight, and led the video production team. Valerie Lake has previously gone by the names, Valerie Lloyd and Valerie Kern.