04:20Shoal-time! Dozens of dolphins treat tourists to spectacular display off Argentine coast
Dozens of dolphins were seen swimming off the Argentinian coast on Monday, as visitors took to the local boats of Puerto Madryn to get a better view.
"It is fantastic. It is extraordinary to be able to contemplate nature, to see freedom, to be so close to them," said one visitor, Zeca. "Contemplate the freedom that they have in nature, it is truly fantastic."
Footage shows the dolphins leaping out of the water and following a tourist boat, with day trippers watching and filming the display.
"The experience is really unique (seeing) dolphins in the wild," said a tour guide, Cristian. "They are very sociable animals and they manage to have a very active interaction with the boat and with people."
Mariana Degrati from the Research of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) explained that the dolphin shoals aren’t a new phenomenon but are much easier to see this time of year.
"They are present all year round within the Gulf," she said. "The difference that we see is that in the winter months, there are smaller groups and further away from the coast, so they are more difficult to find."
During Argentina’s current summer months, scientists say over 100 dolphins are coming closer to shore and feeding in larger groups.
04:20Dozens of dolphins were seen swimming off the Argentinian coast on Monday, as visitors took to the local boats of Puerto Madryn to get a better view.
"It is fantastic. It is extraordinary to be able to contemplate nature, to see freedom, to be so close to them," said one visitor, Zeca. "Contemplate the freedom that they have in nature, it is truly fantastic."
Footage shows the dolphins leaping out of the water and following a tourist boat, with day trippers watching and filming the display.
"The experience is really unique (seeing) dolphins in the wild," said a tour guide, Cristian. "They are very sociable animals and they manage to have a very active interaction with the boat and with people."
Mariana Degrati from the Research of the National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) explained that the dolphin shoals aren’t a new phenomenon but are much easier to see this time of year.
"They are present all year round within the Gulf," she said. "The difference that we see is that in the winter months, there are smaller groups and further away from the coast, so they are more difficult to find."
During Argentina’s current summer months, scientists say over 100 dolphins are coming closer to shore and feeding in larger groups.