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Maine wildlife educator Jessica Woodend designed a life-size inflatable whale as a tribute to a beloved local humpback named Chunk

She now travels across the state with the whale, giving kids and communities an immersive way to learn about marine life and conservation

After sharing the project on TikTok, her videos went viral, and more than 9,200 people have already stepped inside the whale this year

Jessica Woodend has spent 20 years in wildlife education and animal care, working with animals across the country and, for the last 13 years, in Maine. Most of that time was devoted to land animals, but for the past eight years, she’s also volunteered with Marine Mammals of Maine.

“Getting to help with marine animals felt like a lifelong dream finally clicking into place,” t

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