wildlife

A harbor seal pup found May 31, 2025, on a beach in Homer, Alaska, is photographed after being taken into custody by Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program. (Photo courtesy of Kaiti Grant, Alaska SeaLife Center)

SeaLife Center rescues 3 seal pups, including female found on Homer beach

The recent rescues come after the discovery and recovery of a premature harbor seal pup and an orphaned northern sea otter pup earlier this spring.

 

A harbor seal pup rescued near Kenai is treated at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)

Premature seal pup rescued from Kenai beach

Findings from an initial exam indicate that the pup was likely born that day.

 

The rescued sea otter pup looks at the camera in this undated picture, provided by the Alaska SeaLife Center. (Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center)

Stranded otter pup rescued from Homer beach

She is estimated to be around 2 months old and was found alone by concerned beach walkers.

 

Sterling Elementary School students collect trash from the banks of the Kenai River near Bing’s Landing in Sterling, Alaska, during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Cleaning up the mess that’s left behind

Students from six local schools combed for litter during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup.

Sterling Elementary School students collect trash from the banks of the Kenai River near Bing’s Landing in Sterling, Alaska, during the 10th Annual Kenai River Spring Cleanup on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Students stock rainbow trout into Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration, hosted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game near Kasilof, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Celebrating the cycle of life

The annual Kenai Peninsula Salmon Celebration caps off the Salmon in the Classroom program.

Students stock rainbow trout into Johnson Lake during Salmon Celebration, hosted by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game near Kasilof, Alaska, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Organizer George Matz monitors shorebirds at the former viewing platform at Mariner Park Lagoon. The platform no longer exists, after being removed by landowner Doyon during the development of the area. (Photo courtesy of Kachemak Bay Birders)

Kachemak Bay Birders kicks off 17th year of shorebird monitoring project

The first monitoring session of 2025 will take place Saturday.

Organizer George Matz monitors shorebirds at the former viewing platform at Mariner Park Lagoon. The platform no longer exists, after being removed by landowner Doyon during the development of the area. (Photo courtesy of Kachemak Bay Birders)
A group of volunteers during the 2024 K-Bay Sea Duck Survey. Two boats duplicate the same survey in the same area at the same time to help ensure accuracy. (Photo courtesy of Bjorn Larson)

Homer bird enthusiasts prepare for annual sea duck count

The count aims to ensure a proper and consistent population estimate before the ducks begin their April migration.

A group of volunteers during the 2024 K-Bay Sea Duck Survey. Two boats duplicate the same survey in the same area at the same time to help ensure accuracy. (Photo courtesy of Bjorn Larson)
The waters of the Kenai River lap against the shore at North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

‘BelugaCam’ livestreams set up at mouth of Kenai River

Cook Inlet belugas are one of five genetically distinct populations of beluga whales in Alaska

The waters of the Kenai River lap against the shore at North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska SeaLife Center Wildlife Response Team members treat a juvenile northern sea otter that was admitted for care on Nov. 16, 2024, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Kaiti Grant/courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)

Sealife center admits juvenile sea otter

The juvenile otter was rescued from Seward with “significant” facial trauma

Alaska SeaLife Center Wildlife Response Team members treat a juvenile northern sea otter that was admitted for care on Nov. 16, 2024, in Seward, Alaska. (Photo by Kaiti Grant/courtesy Alaska SeaLife Center)
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Pacific walrus calf rehomed to SeaWorld Orlando

The calf was first discovered orphaned in Utqiagvik in July

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Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Attendees seek out endangered Cook Inlet belugas during Belugas Count! on the bluff above the Kenai River in Kenai on Saturday.

Counting the belugas in our backyard

Endangered Cook Inlet species the center of annual monitoring event

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Attendees seek out endangered Cook Inlet belugas during Belugas Count! on the bluff above the Kenai River in Kenai on Saturday.
Peperoncini swims out into the mouth of the Kenai River after being released from the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program at North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Crowd gathers for rainy release of harbor seals

Four harbor seals were released from the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program

Peperoncini swims out into the mouth of the Kenai River after being released from the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program at North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska SeaLife Center Animal Care Specialist Maddie Welch (left) and Veterinary Technician Jessica Davis (right) feeds the orphaned female Pacific walrus calf patient that arrived from Utqiagvik, Alaska on Monday, July 22, 2024. Walruses are rare patients for the Wildlife Response Department, with only eleven total and just one other female since the ASLC opened in 1998. Photo by Kaiti Grant

Female Pacific walrus calf admitted to Alaska SeaLife Center

The walrus calf, rescued from Utqiagvik, was admitted on July 22

Alaska SeaLife Center Animal Care Specialist Maddie Welch (left) and Veterinary Technician Jessica Davis (right) feeds the orphaned female Pacific walrus calf patient that arrived from Utqiagvik, Alaska on Monday, July 22, 2024. Walruses are rare patients for the Wildlife Response Department, with only eleven total and just one other female since the ASLC opened in 1998. Photo by Kaiti Grant
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Ben Meyer, environmental scientist and water quality coordinator for the Kenai Watershed Forum, teaches children about young salmon freshly pulled from Soldotna Creek during the Kenai River Fair at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 7, 2024.

Kenai River Fair debuts with array of activities and education

Previously called the Kenai River Festival, the newly refocused fair featured booths and activities dedicated to education about the outdoors, wildlife and ecosystems

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
Ben Meyer, environmental scientist and water quality coordinator for the Kenai Watershed Forum, teaches children about young salmon freshly pulled from Soldotna Creek during the Kenai River Fair at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, June 7, 2024.
A harbor seal pup rescued from near the Copper River Delta is photographed at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo provided by Alaska SeaLife Center)

2 more seals admitted to SeaLife Center

Wildlife response team is now caring for six harbor seal pups

A harbor seal pup rescued from near the Copper River Delta is photographed at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo provided by Alaska SeaLife Center)
A seal pup rescued from the Kenai Beach is in the care of the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program in Seward, Alaska, on June 6, 2024. (Photo provided by Alaska SeaLife Center)

2nd seal pup rescued in Kenai, ASLC now caring for 4

A second newborn seal was rescued on Kenai Beach and admitted by the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program, now the fourth in the center’s… Continue reading

A seal pup rescued from the Kenai Beach is in the care of the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program in Seward, Alaska, on June 6, 2024. (Photo provided by Alaska SeaLife Center)
A harbor seal pup rescued from near Kachemak Bay is treated by Wildlife Response Program staff at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo provided by Alaska SeaLife Center)

SeaLife Center admits 2 more seal pups to wildlife response program

The newly rescued pups were found near Homer and Cordova

A harbor seal pup rescued from near Kachemak Bay is treated by Wildlife Response Program staff at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. (Photo provided by Alaska SeaLife Center)
Emerson Kapp, second-place winner of the 2023 Caring for the Kenai competition, shows participants how to use her project, the Kenai Peninsula Maze Board, during the Kenai River Festival on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai River Fair to offer education, fun for free on June 8

Kenai Watershed Forum’s annual summer event gets new name, renewed focus on education

Emerson Kapp, second-place winner of the 2023 Caring for the Kenai competition, shows participants how to use her project, the Kenai Peninsula Maze Board, during the Kenai River Festival on Friday, June 9, 2023, at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
A sign marks the entrance of Centennial Park and Campground on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Tree planting event set for Centennial Park

Planting trees in the area is a crucial method for protecting and rehabilitating the streambank, organizers say

A sign marks the entrance of Centennial Park and Campground on Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Dale Chorman stands with his wife, Dianne. (Photo provided by Tom Kizzia)

Long-time Homer resident, photographer dead after Sunday moose encounter

Troopers on Monday identified the victim as 70-year-old Dale Chorman

Dale Chorman stands with his wife, Dianne. (Photo provided by Tom Kizzia)