| #ffffff;" /> | | | | other mates, but the males will perform spectacular |
| While they once numbered in the millions, many whales | | | | jumps, lifting their enormous bodies out of the water |
| are actually very close to extinction due to the whaling | | | | and then crashing while displacing thousands of gallons |
| ships of the time who would go out and slaughter | | | | of water at the same time. This will continue for many |
| these animals for the blubber and other parts of the | | | | days as the couples begin to pair off. The boat trips |
| body that were used to make a good many products | | | | that are offered in this area take you right into the |
| over the years. The eventual increase in value for | | | | middle of the action. The whales are familiar with the |
| whale ivory made the slaughter continue all the way | | | | boats and seem to know what the people want to |
| through until the past few years where whaling ships | | | | see. It is not uncommon to have several whales |
| have been banned from hunting anywhere in the | | | | surround a boat and perform for the crowd that is |
| world. | | | | happily looking on. This is the whole reason for the trip. |
| This was a grand day as the number of whales is | | | | The Nuevo Gulf in South Patagonia is the best place |
| starting to increase and today the people of the world | | | | to find whale watching in top condition. This area holds |
| are able to view these magnificent animals in their | | | | the Fauna Reserve which is a whale protected area |
| natural habitat and during the mating ritual. Unlike other | | | | where hunting and fishing is illegal. The area is home to |
| sea bound creatures, whales do not have a natural | | | | some of the largest whales that can be found |
| fear of man and will readily display and play for the | | | | anywhere. |
| many people who come out to watch them. | | | | The open sea is a dangerous place for many of the |
| Patagonia in South America is one of the best places | | | | whales in the world. Even though there is a world wide |
| on Earth to watch whales. The Southern Right whale | | | | ban on whaling, some companies still operate pirate |
| uses this area as its primary mating ground, and they | | | | operations that will take hundreds of whales every |
| swim in by the thousands every year to mate and roll | | | | year. The governments of the surrounding countries |
| in the surf. This brings great delight to the locals and | | | | are working hard to toughen the laws and increase the |
| the tourists who flock to the area every year for the | | | | penalty for whaling. One whale will make over one |
| simple purpose of whale watching. | | | | hundred thousand dollars worth of income for the |
| The mating ritual of the whales is impressive to say | | | | capture on the black market. |
| the least. Not only are they rolling around to attract | | | | |