Puerto Madryn is nature's reservoir of various fauna species. Here, and in the different peninsulas, bays and points strewn around its shores, the observer will thrill to the sight of a southern right whale, an orca, elephant seals or southern sea lions.

In the protected nature reserve of Pennsula Valds, World Natural Heritage, 100 kms away from the city, a tryst with the southern right whale is a one in your life experience, and if you're in luck, you will also thrill to the sight of an orca.

Throughout various excursions you will meet with land fauna: guanacos, choiques, maras (Patagonian hares) and Argentine gray foxes, each in its peculiar habitat. On forbidding trails you will experience the vastness of the steppe, and will make use of the chance of deepening your knowledge of Patagonian wildlife by taking information tours led by experienced local guides.

SOUTHERN RIGHT WHALE
The Nuevo and San Jos Gulfs that surround Pennsula Valds, are the chosen spots for the southern whale to give birth and suckle its young.

These giants are the masters of this portion of the South Atlantic from June to December.

This is when the deep blue waters begin to speckle with black, an indication that the whales have arrived. Be ready to witness an unequaled spectacle for around seven whole months: ocean acrobatics and tender scenes between mothers and their young.

Every year some 600 animals gather here, although the total population of the Pennsula Valds zone is estimated at 1,200.

The southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) was declared a Natural Monument by Law N 23094, and its current population, distributed among all the southern hemisphere temperate and sub-Antarctic seas does not reach 4,000.

It is a cetacean belonging to the sub-order of mysticetae that has instead of teeth corneous plates known as barbs or balaenae.

Most of the whales have ventral furrows and dorsal fins, but the right whale lacks both. Its jaw is long and narrow, causing its head to take up almost one quarter of the total body length.

In some parts of its head it shows a cluster of callous-like growths. These are full of a large number of parasitic crustaceans. At the top of its head there are two "spiracles" (breathing holes) a structure that has the function of our nose.

One of the southern right whale's most outstanding features is the way they expel their breath: when they breathe out, two streams of fine spray form a "V" shape that will be seen for miles around.

It feeds mostly on crustacean plankton.

This whale species bears a single calf about once every three years. Pregnancy lasts twelve months and the calf is suckled for two long years.

When the calves are born they are between 3 and 5 m in length and weigh around 3 tons. During the first two months they grow at the rate of 35 mm per day, and as adults reach 12 to 16 m length, weighing between 50 and 55 tons.

The first stage of adulthood is between 7 and 17 years old. The females reach 13 m in length when they achieve sexual maturity; males grow more slowly.

A peculiar fact about the life of these marine mammals is their feeding habits. They gain their enormous weight feeding on microscopic food filtered through the barbs lining their mouth. They have no teeth so they simply trap the krill and plankton they feed on by forcing sea water through their barbs.

Argentina has protected the right whale since 1935. In 1946 it became a full member of the International Whale Committee. In 1994 the 46th meeting of the IWC took place, defining the principles of protection to be enforced in the Southern Haven.

Whale sighting trips
Whale sighting is a memorable experience. It consists of a one-hour boat trip that takes visitors within meters of these animals.

The trip is only a sighting one. You are not allowed to touch or approach them closely. In any event, just being afloat with these monsters around is an impressive and marvellous experience.

Most of the ships that take visitors on this excursion depart from the little town of Puerto Pirmides.

The adventure starts when you follow the coast for a few kilometers before heading a for awhile into the open water to meet the whales. When the boat is far enough from the shore, the engines are turned off and, for a moment, there is absolute silence, marked only by the cries of penguins and seagulls.

Sailing all along the coast also lets you see the colonies of cormorants and other species belonging to the abundant avian coastal fauna. The first stop is usually in La Lobera, which is directly opposite to Puerto Pirmides, and has almost 2,000 southern sea lions.

After a few minutes and only a few meters from the shore, you get to the area where the whales are playing. The boat slowly approaches them and then, suddenly, when everyone in the boat is in a state of frantic expectation, a silvery white object leaps out of the water next to the boat. Then one hears the heavy slap of a body on the sea: the whales have arrived and they will never leave your memory alone!

That is why the engine of the boat is turned off, not to disturb the mammals. For a moment, only nature seems to exist.

The whale slowly approaches, placing its skin at hand's-length. Gradually, as it emerges, one realizes that it is much larger than the boat. It is an impressive creature. Now and then it makes a characteristic noise that blends with the whispering of the wind on the sea.

The open sky is the only witness, the cliffs provide an imposing backdrop, every thing seems to have been made to please and marvel you.

Sighting season
Whale sighting season on the borders of Puerto Madryn in Chubut province lasts usually from June to December. The best opportunities of good sightings are given in September and October.

The sighting of the southern right whale is a magnificent spectacle that actors repeats and improve every year. This sailing adventure departs from Puerto Pirmides. There are six firms approved to do this trip, and they strictly follow the rules that have been established so as not to interfere with the whales' behavior.

Restrictions
Excesses committed by scuba divers and sighting vessels have prompted Chubut province authorities to regulate very strictly sailing and scuba diving activities in the whale season.

Both the fishermen and the scuba divers have to hire authorized operators or guides to be their guardians when they carry out their activities. Also, the appearance of a marine mammal in any place where an activity is taking place forces the interruption of the activity.

Coastal diving activity is limited to skin-diving or snorkeling (using only air from one's lungs, without using oxygen tanks), and at a distance of more than 100 m from any of the protected animals.

For sport divers there is also an obligation to register at the Istmo Florentino Ameghino check point. There they are informed about this rule and have to sign a document of agreement. They must also register themselves in the Navy Prefecture (Coast Guard) office in Puerto Pirmides.