The southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) is one of the most emblematic species of Patagonia, and in Argentina, it holds the status of a National Natural Monument, ensuring its maximum protection.
Every year, between June and November, hundreds of whales arrive at the coasts of Península Valdés, Chubut, to reproduce and care for their calves before embarking on long journeys across the ocean in search of food.
In 2025, more than 2,100 individuals were recorded, a 40% increase from the previous year, confirming the population recovery of this species and the relevance of scientific studies accompanying its conservation.
Ten years of collaborative science
Since 2014, the migrations of the southern right whale have been studied using state-of-the-art satellite transmitters thanks to the collaborative project Following Whales, which in its 10th research season recently began monitoring 30 specimens.
Satellite tracking allows for the analysis of:
- Behavior in breeding and calving areas.
- The speed and distances of daily movements.
- Key feeding areas in the Southwestern Atlantic and subantarctic seas.
- Overlap with human activities such as fishing, shipping, or hydrocarbon extraction.
This information is essential for developing conservation recommendations and mitigating potential impacts on the species.
A new season in Península Valdés
In September 2025, scientists placed satellite transmitters on 30 whales in the Golfo Nuevo. The technology used is safe, and the devices detach on their own after a while, causing no harm.
The monitored individuals include mothers with calves and solitary individuals, selected in good physical condition. To identify them, each whale is given a name inspired by the periodic table, such as Neon, Einsteinium, or Aluminium.
Images of each specimen are compared with the photo-identification catalog, which includes more than 5,000 known whales since 1971.
Advanced technology for conservation
Long-duration transmitters allow for the location of each whale with several positions per day. In the last decade, this technology has revealed unprecedented migratory patterns:
- Some whales use multiple feeding areas in a single season.
- In 2023-2024, the whale Atenea was the first to connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, traveling from Península Valdés to the Southeastern Pacific basin off Chile.
The new miniaturized designs prioritize animal welfare and achieve longer durations, expanding the scale of recorded journeys. Recent examples like Moscovium and Sulfurium exceeded 400 days of transmission, setting records and providing valuable data on reproductive and migratory behavior.
An international project with an Argentine stamp
In over ten years, Following Whales has monitored 145 individuals, providing key data for conservation. The project brings together institutions from Argentina, Brazil, Denmark, and the United States, including:
- CESIMAR-CENPAT-CONICET.
- CIMAS-CONICET.
- Universidad Nacional del Comahue.
- Fundación Patagonia Natural.
- Instituto Aqualie.
- Whale Conservation Institute (ICB).
- NOAA and U.S. universities.
Fieldwork requires experienced captains to carefully approach the animals, a task that in recent seasons has been led by Federico Arribere (Hydrosport).
Since 2023, the project has been supported by transmitter manufacturer Wildlife Computers and funding from the Office of Naval Research, NOAA, and collaborating organizations. It also has the endorsement of the International Whaling Commission and the support of Argentine provinces such as Chubut and Río Negro.
The southern right whale is a symbol of Patagonia and a living laboratory for Argentine science. The Following Whales project demonstrates how international cooperation and advanced technology can provide essential data to protect a species that travels thousands of kilometers each year.
Its conservation not only ensures the survival of a natural icon but also strengthens the cultural identity and sustainable tourism of the region.
