The southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) have already begun arriving at the coasts of Península Valdés, heralding a new season of breeding and reproduction.
In recent days, the first individuals were recorded off the coast of Puerto Madryn, confirmed by police officer Enzo Gutiérrez in the El Doradillo Protected Natural Area, who filmed a mother with her calf born in 2025. The company Scuba Duba also photographed another specimen during a diving trip.
Site fidelity and migration
The southern right whale is characterized by its philopatry, meaning fidelity to breeding areas. Although some may change sites, most return to the same areas, often associated with their birthplace.
Calves accompany their mothers on their first migrations, learning the location of feeding areas. This knowledge is passed down from generation to generation, ensuring the persistence of migratory patterns.
Concentration areas
While it is possible to observe them along the Argentine coast, the gulfs of Río Negro and Chubut are the most used by the whales, as their waters offer greater protection for the calves. The Península Valdés hosts the largest population in the Southwestern Atlantic, with approximately 2,000 individuals per season.
Sighting calendar
Data from ICB, Ocean Alliance, and CENPAT-CONICET indicate that the whales are not arriving earlier than usual. The first records typically occur between April and May, while the peak occurs between August and September, coinciding with the highest number of births.
Research and conservation
The start of the season also marks the beginning of the 56th campaign of the Southern Right Whale Research Program, coordinated by the Whale Conservation Institute (ICB) and Ocean Alliance. This photo-identification catalog gathers more than 5,700 individual life stories built over more than five decades of scientific work.
In 2026, the season coincides with the 30th anniversary of the ICB, which has allowed the continuation of a key program for the knowledge and protection of this emblematic population.
The first blows on the horizon announce not only the return of the whales to the Patagonian coasts but also the arrival of thousands of visitors and the start of a new phase of scientific research.
The whales’ fidelity to Península Valdés reaffirms the importance of this site as a natural heritage of Argentina and the world, and as a driver of conservation and sustainable tourism.
Source: https://ballenas.org.ar/
