Commerson's Dolphin

Photo By: G Harris / WCS

Argentina has created two new marine protected areas in Patagonia, Isla Pingüino Coastal Marine Park and Makenke Coastal Marine Park, both on the Patagonian coast, according to Wildlife Conservation Society.

According to WCS: "Stretching some 80 miles south of Puerto Deseado and extending 12 miles out to sea, Isla Pingüino covers nearly 720 square miles of ocean and cliff-bordered coastline. The new protected area contains large populations of South American sea lions, red-legged cormorants, and one of the largest colonies of imperial cormorants found anywhere (with more than 8,000 breeding pairs). Isla Pingüino also boasts one of the only colonies of rockhopper penguins on the coast of Patagonia.

"Farther south, the Makenke Coastal Marine Park begins at the entrance of the Ría San Julián, covering almost 230 square miles of shore and ocean. The park contains the largest colony of rare red-legged cormorants in the country. It also protects breeding colonies of the dolphin gull, a rare scavenger, and pods of the small but spectacular black and white Commerson’s dolphin.

Related: Patagonia as You've Never Seen it Before

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