Province Chubut Province | ||
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Similar Playa El Doradillo, Perito Moreno Glacier, Museum of Paleontology Egidio Fe, Los Glaciares National, Beagle Channel | ||
Magellanic penguin punta tombo chubut province argentina south america
Punta Tombo is a peninsula into the Atlantic Ocean 110 km (68 mi) south of Trelew in Chubut Province, Argentina, where there is a large colony of Magellanic penguins - the largest such colony in South America. It is a short distance north of Camarones.
Contents
- Magellanic penguin punta tombo chubut province argentina south america
- Map of Punta Tombo Chubut Province Argentina
- Punta tombo puerto madryn province of chubut patagonia argentina
- Natural reserve
- References
Map of Punta Tombo, Chubut Province, Argentina
Punta tombo puerto madryn province of chubut patagonia argentina
Natural reserve
The 2.1 km2 (0.8 sq mi) Punta Tombo Provincial Reserve has been protected since 1979, according to a provincial decree, and it is one of the main tourist attractions in Chubut. Punta Tombo is part of the new marine national park at Golfo San Jorge.
The 3 km (1.9 mi) long, 600 m (1,969 ft) wide peninsula is covered with sand, clay and gravel.
In late September, with the arrival of spring, thousands of Magellanic penguins migrate to Punta Tombo from southern Brazil to nest. They stay at the site until April, incubating their eggs, raising their chicks, and preparing for migration. Couples stand in front of their nests, protecting the eggs from birds and other predators, and occasionally one adult goes to the sea for food. Other important nearby colonies are Bahía Camarones and Cabo Dos Bahías.
A variety of other wildlife can be encountered in the area, including seabirds (mainly gulls and cormorants), rheas and guanacos.
In the 19th Century, British mariners knew Punta Tombo as "Tombas".