Valdés Peninsula

I stretch my sandy arms way out into the big, blue ocean, like I am giving the water a giant hug. The waves tickle my shores with a gentle swoosh, swoosh, swoosh. I love to listen to all the happy sounds around me. Little penguins waddle on my beaches, going waddle, waddle, waddle down to the cool sea. Sometimes, I see a giant tail splash in the water. SPLASH. It belongs to a big, friendly whale saying hello from the deep water. I am the Valdés Peninsula in Argentina, and I am a special home for so many animal friends.

I am a very cozy and safe place for my animal friends. My waters are calm and warm, like a big bathtub for the ocean. Every year, big mama southern right whales come to visit me. They swim into my quiet bays to have their baby whales. It makes me so happy to see the little calves splashing and learning to swim with their mothers. I am also a comfy resting spot for sleepy sea lions and big elephant seals. They love to nap on my sunny beaches. A long, long time ago, on December 8th, 1999, some very kind people said I was so special that I needed to be protected forever. They made me a place where all my animals would always be safe and sound.

Today, people come from all over the world to say hello. They sail in quiet boats to watch the whale families play. They smile when they see the penguins waddling in a line. It makes me feel proud to be such a happy and free home for all these wonderful animals. I love sharing my beautiful world with everyone who visits. I will always be here, a special place where the land and the sea give each other a great big, wonderful hug. And you can dream of visiting my animal friends one day.