Panchito Cortés is a giant that swims from Patagonia to his favorite beaches in Mexico. In Baja California, he has found a community willing to care for him.
In the middle of this summer, an extraordinary visitor weighing almost half a ton appeared in the waters of San Felipe, Baja California. Although it is not the first time that he has come to these beaches, residents were once again amazed by his large silhouette and his fleshy hook-shaped trunk. “Panchito Cortés,” as he was named, is an elephant seal that swims from Patagonia, in South America, to the beaches of northeastern Mexico.
His species lives mainly in the waters of the southern hemisphere, and is characterized by its imposing size, thick skin, and the distinctive proboscis of the males. These animals spend most of their lives at sea, but return to land to reproduce and shed their skin.
Panchito Cortés and his summer in warm waters
The elephant seal was seen on July 24 of this year in the Bay of the Angels, in Baja California, then moved to the waters of San Felipe, where he spends his days swimming and resting from the long journey. The organization Cetaceans, Action and Transformation has documented his adventures and created a community of volunteers to watch him 24 hours a day.
Panchito was sighted for the first time in 2020 in San Pancho, Nayarit, after traveling some 8,000 kilometers from Patagonia. Since then, he has appeared on beaches in the bay of La Paz, Baja California Sur; in the Gulf of Santa Clara, and in San Felipe, Baja California, where he arrived again this year. Activists have followed his movements through a photographic record and easily identify him thanks to a mark on his beard.
“It is fascinating that Panchito, our wandering southern elephant seal, has returned to San Felipe for his annual month-long molt in warm weather and is resting in the busiest spot near the boardwalk boat ramp,” the organization posted on social media on August 3.
The volunteers who protect Panchito document his behavior, monitor his safety, and have placed tape to delimit the perimeter that visitors must respect. When he moves, the group and the tape also move to keep him safe. In addition, the residents of San Felipe receive talks to learn more about the elephant seal and its conservation.
The community guardians placed information on the beach to meet the “special guest.” “I am making a stop on my long trip, for our safety keep a safe distance,” reads the sign. “I am peaceful but I know how to defend myself; please do not come closer,” it warns. Panchito adopts a cobra-like lunging posture, rearing up on his tail, which could endanger those who get too close.
His stay on Mexican beaches will last a few weeks before resuming his journey south of the continent. In the meantime, he can be seen swimming near the shore, resting on the beach or covering his back with sand using his fins.
Source: ngenespanol
