Whales & Peninsula Valdes
The
Southern Right Whale (Franca Whale) is one of the endangered species.
That is the reason why the National Government has declared it Natural
Heritage in 1984. Our National Water is one of the few reproduction
places of these great cetaceans.
The Southern Right Whale could be found alongside a wide fringe from
latitude 20º to 60º in the North Pacific Ocean, in an area of the South
Pacific Ocean, in the North and South Atlantic Ocean, and in the South
Indic Ocean. There are two types of Franca Whales: the Southern Right
Whale and the Northern Right Whale –which have no contact between them
because they do not pass the equatorial water region.
The National Government has given the Right Whales, within National
waters, the main protection since they were named Mankind’s Natural
Heritage. It is estimated that there exist about 3,000 members, 20%
of whom (approximately 600 specimens) was registered in Argentinean
water, being the biggest whale group in the world.
Every year, during winter and spring season, a great number of Southern
Right Whales arrive at the Atlantic coast, mainly at Caleta Valdes sea-coast,
Golfo San Jose and Golfo Nuevo, near Peninsula Valdes in the Chubut
province.
This is the best time to visit our coasts to meet these giants which
placidly arrive at the date.
Whale watching tours are made from Puerto Piramides. Whales can also
be watched from Golfo Nuevo coast, especially from the “El Doradillo”
beach –located at14km from Puerto Madryn.
Curious and quiet, Southern Right Whales swim slowly in cold waters
at a speed of about 9 to 11km/h.
Peninsula Valdes
Peninsula
Valdes, in Chubut, is located at 90 km from Puerto Madryn. It is a wonderful
fauna reservation (marine and terrestrial animals).
Big whales, sea lions, elephant seals, penguins, high diversity of birds,
guanacos and other terrestrial species are the main inhabitants in this
360,000ha of Natural Reservation.
It was listed “World Heritage Site” by UNESCO in 1999.
Some kilometers away from Puerto Madryn you will arrive to Peninsula
Valdes fauna reservation office, where tourism entrance is controlled
and visitors might choose among a variety of attractions with the only
one natural spectacle you can enjoy both in tours or lodging in Patagonia
estancias –they have been recycled to become excellent and comfortable
places.
Then you will come to “Carlos Ameghino Isthmus” which connects the peninsula
with the continent. Water flanks both sides of the road. Both from the
right and the left side of the road the deep blue Patagonian Sea can
be admired. On one side, Golfo Nuevo; on the other side, Golfo San Jose
–from this place “Isla de los Pájaros” (Birds Island) can be observed.
In “Ameghino Isthmus” is settled the recycled Center of Interpretation,
a perfect place to get information about what you can visit: geography,
flora, fauna, and history.
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