Península Valdés in Patagonia is a site of global significance for the conservation of marine mammals.
The Valdes Peninsula is a peninsula along the Atlantic coast in the Viedma Department in the north east of Chubut Province, Argentina. Its size is about 3,625 km². The nearest large town is Puerto Madryn.
The only town on the peninsula is the small settlement of Puerto Piramides. There are also a number of estancias, where sheep are raised.
Southern right whale cavorting.
A high diversity and range of birds live in the peninsula as well; at least 181 bird species, 66 of which migratory, live in the area, including the Antarctic Pigeon.
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The only town on the peninsula is the small settlement of Puerto Piramides. There are also a number of estancias, where sheep are raised.
Southern right whale cavorting.
Pensinsula Valdès.
Most of the peninsula is barren land with some salt lakes. The largest of these lakes is at an elevation of about 40 m below sea level, until recently thought to be the lowest elevation in Argentina and South America. (The lowest point being Laguna del Carbón, Argentina).Nature Reserve.
It is an important nature reserve which was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. The coastline is inhabited by marine mammals, like sea lions, elephant seals and fur seals. Southern right whales can be found in Golfo Nuevo and Golfo San José, protected bodies of water located between the peninsula and the Patagonian mainland.Whales.
These baleen whales come here between May and December, for mating and giving birth, because the water in the gulf is quieter and warmer than in the open sea. Orcas can be found off the coast, in the open sea off the peninsula. In this area, they are known to beach themselves on shore to capture sea lions and elephant seals.Península Valdés in Patagonia is a site of global significance for the conservation of marine mammals.Click To Tweet
Fauna.
The inner part of the peninsula is inhabited by rheas, guanacos and maras.A high diversity and range of birds live in the peninsula as well; at least 181 bird species, 66 of which migratory, live in the area, including the Antarctic Pigeon.
Images Gallery.
Read also: Colony of Magellanic Penguins in Peninsula Valdes.
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A day full of nature, we crossed the Patagonian steppe and saw many animals, guanacos and rheas mainly .. until you get to a beach with hundreds of sea lions beached .. beautiful and very funny in their movements .. a wonderful experience!
ReplyDeleteThe Valdes Peninsula is fully considered World Natural Heritage site! It offers the opportunity to observe many species of animals in their natural habitats and the wild: guanacos, rheas, elephant seals and sea lions, Magellanic penguins. Too bad not having seen any whale!
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