Humpback whales have begun to arrive in the waters off Colombia's pacific coast for the mating season, authorities announced Wednesday.
The Ministry for the Environment said that around 1,200 humpback whales are expected to arrive in the waters of Gorgona, Sanquianga and Utria National Parks.
With the whales come dozens of tourists every year to watch them mating, the Ministry said.
The whales spend the summer months feeding in temperate and polar waters and head to tropical waters in winter for mating and calving, sometimes traveling up to 17,000 kilometers.
They are black, grey and white, can grow up to 18 meters long and weigh up to 40 tons.
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