Wildlife Watching in Península Valdés

Information

The Valdés Peninsula is an excellent place to observe wildlife. Being a protected area, it preserves the natural environment and the necessary conditions for its conservation.

Starting with the marine fauna, it is a unique place to see the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), which can be seen from the trails of Punta Cantor and along the Caleta Valdés. There are also South American sea lions (Otaria flavescens) at Punta Pirámides and Punta Norte. Nautical excursions depart from Puerto Pirámides between June and October for sightings of the southern right whale (Eubalaena australis). Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are sighted in March and April at Punta Norte, where from time to time an attack by these cetaceans on sea lions is recorded in the middle of the beach.

Turning to the terrestrial species, when travelling along the peninsula's routes, it is common to come across herds of guanacos (Lama guanicoe) and rheas (a smaller rhea, Rhea pennata). Patagonian maras (Dolichotis patagonum), a large native rodent, are often seen on the sides of the road leading to Punta Delgada. At Punta Norte, the pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) is common and the large hairy armadillo (Chaetophractus villosus) leaves caves near the footbridges.

Past Punta Cantor and at the beginning of Valdés cove there is a penguin colony. Other common birds are the least seedsnipe (Thinocorus rumicivorus), the elegant crested tinamou (Eudromia elegans) and the mourning sierra-finch (Rhopospina fruticeti).