MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“Bonafide”, illustrious citizen of Puerto Pirámides.

An austral franc whale, one of the many hundreds that migrate each winter to the South Atlantic has been declared “illustrious citizen” of the seaside village of Puerto Pirámides in Argentine Patagonia, an area where cetaceans mate and calve.

Bonafide" (good faith) was included in the town's Registrar after having been sighted in the Valdes Peninsula next to Puerto Piramides.

"We've been checking "Bonafide" arrival every season for the last fourteen years plus five calving. She's our most faithful visitor", said Jorge Schmidt a whale expert who works in the area keeping track of cetaceans movements.

During winter time it is estimated that 150,000 tourists flock to this tiny village of 300 people for whale sightseeing, approximately 500 that migrate from Antarctica to warmer and quieter waters in Patagonia.

According to Mr. Schmidt the world's total population of austral franc whales is around 2,500, a very fragile species with females coming in heat every three years and 12 months of gestation.

Peninsula Valdes has been identified as "whales cradle" given the number of this endangered species that come for mating and reproduction.

"The female frolics with several males and she chooses with which to copulate. Usually this can happen with three/four males, to make sure she becomes pregnant. Conservation instinct, since they come in heat every three years", explained Mr. Schmidt.

For two months whales play in the area before returning south to Antarctic waters to feed on krill.