For a decade, Woodend, 39, crisscrossed the state with live animals in tow, introducing communities to the wildlife right in their backyard. She loved watching kids’ eyes widen as they reached out, ...

Early in the morning on Feb. 29, a class of first graders excitedly shuffled into the South Boston Catholic Academy gym. Waiting for them on the floor lay a massive, life-sized, inflatable whale, ...

The whale, named Chunk, is 43 feet long and has been touring the state since February. As many as 20 children or 15 adults can fit inside at one time. "It got really busy, really ...

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 ...