wildlife

An orphaned sea otter pup is pictured in the Alaska SeaLife Center. Photo courtesy of Kaiti Grant | Alaska SeaLife Center

Alaska SeaLife Center admits two rescued sea otter pups

The rescues mark an uptick in orphaned, injured and deceased sea otter reports across the state.

 

A sockeye salmon is carried from the waters of Cook Inlet on North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, during the first day of the Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Alaska Department of Fish and Game publishes 2025 commercial salmon summary

The 2025 commercial harvest was 41% greater than the recent 20-year annual average.

 

A sea otter pup rescued in Homer in the summer of 2025 receives care from the Alaska SeaLife Center and Chicago's Shedd Aquarium while being rehabilitated at ASLC in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center

Alaska SeaLife Center partners with Chicago aquarium to rehabilitate sea otter pup

The pup has reached important milestones thanks to ASLC and Shedd Aquarium’s collaborative efforts.

 

Kova, a spotted seal pup rescued from Nome in June, touches his nose to an Alaska SeaLife Center staff member's hand in this photo taken Oct. 10, 2025, at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center

Spotted seal pup is a ‘rare’ rescue patient at Alaska SeaLife Center

ASLC has been providing intensive care since the seal’s arrival, and “Kova” is now eating well and steadily gaining weight.

Kova, a spotted seal pup rescued from Nome in June, touches his nose to an Alaska SeaLife Center staff member's hand in this photo taken Oct. 10, 2025, at the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center
Uki, the walrus calf rehabilitated at Alaska SeaLife Center in August 2024 before being rehomed to SeaWorld Orlando, is photographed with an ASLC staff member on Aug. 7, 2024. Photo courtesy of Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center

Alaska SeaLife Center walrus patient featured on PBS

The story of Uki, a walrus who was rehabilitated at the Alaska SeaLife Center in August 2023, was featured on the season premiere of “Nature” by PBS on Wednesday.

Uki, the walrus calf rehabilitated at Alaska SeaLife Center in August 2024 before being rehomed to SeaWorld Orlando, is photographed with an ASLC staff member on Aug. 7, 2024. Photo courtesy of Kaiti Grant/Alaska SeaLife Center
Alaska Department of Natural Resources logo (graphic)

State issues quarantine order for 2 invasive trees

Mayday trees and chokecherry trees are barred from being imported, transported or sold under the order.

Alaska Department of Natural Resources logo (graphic)
Alaska State Troopers logo.

Kenai woman injured in bear attack

Search efforts had not located the bear as of Tuesday afternoon.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
A harbor seal is released into Cook Inlet by the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program at North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

SeaLife Center releases 2 harbor seals at Kenai beach

The two seals were admitted into the center’s Wildlife Response Program in June.

A harbor seal is released into Cook Inlet by the Alaska SeaLife Center’s Wildlife Response Program at North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Un’a, a female sea otter pup who was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center in June 2025, plays with an enrichment toy at the center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy of the Alaska SeaLife Center

SeaLife Center admits 2 seal pups, 1 orphaned otter

The three pups join the Alaska SeaLife Center’s ‘growing’ patient list.

Un’a, a female sea otter pup who was admitted to the Alaska SeaLife Center in June 2025, plays with an enrichment toy at the center in Seward, Alaska. Photo courtesy of the Alaska SeaLife Center
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 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)
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.

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

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