Valdés Peninsula: Natural Heritage of Humanity

The Peninsula Valdés Natural Protected Area celebrated 20 years as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. “It hosts very important and significant natural habitats for the conservation of endangered species, of exceptional universal value. In particular the concentration of young southern right whales, an endangered species.” This indicates the 1999 text of the international organization that justified the award.

To celebrate the anniversary, the Ministry of Tourism and Areas Protected opened the “Antonio Torrejón” Visitor Center. That name is in homage to the one who led the nomination in 1998 for the following year.

Be a globally recognized natural environment

“ When we received the nomination it was an explosion of joy, it was touch the sky with your hands. It was unprecedented that a Protected Natural Area provincial would be able to win the Natural Heritage of Humanity award. Today the attractions of Península Valdés are famous worldwide, but in that time was different. Peninsula Valdés is the third Natural Heritage of the Humanity of Argentina,” said García, the Minister of Tourism. So, Chubut. became the only province with two natural heritage sites.

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Created in 1983 as a provincial reserve, the ANP Península Valdés covers a total of 887 thousand marine and terrestrial hectares. Most of them are private property and public entry is restricted to operating units. Visitor Center Istmo Carlos Ameghino, Bird Island, North Point, Caleta Valdés, Punta Delgada and Punta Piramide.

The attributes that stand out as Natural and World Heritage are many. First, it is a continental island with outstanding biodiversity with a top conservation priority. On the other hand, it is one of the main sites of diversity and abundance of marine fauna. In addition, it presents a wide variety of coastal environments suitable for the reproduction and feeding of mammals and seabirds.

The UNESCO text highlights other features that make the Peninsula a unique place in the world. For example, the condition of “vulnerable” of the southern right whale. Also, the presence of the only breeding colony of sea elephants in the south of the region. On the other hand, is the population of sea lions of a hair, mara and duck steamer head white. Another important aspect is that their ecosystems contain habitats where animal species of universal value survive. Everything leads to celebrate with more strength the 20 years of Peninsula Valdés as a Heritage Natural of Humanity.