La Paz’s famous whale museum yesterday
reopened its doors to the public after a lengthy period of renovations in
recent months. The museum has opened with a major exhibition dedicated to the
evolution of cetaceans and their anatomy.
The waters around the Baja Peninsula, world
famous for their biodiversity, are home to as many as 30 species of cetaceans. The
most well-known of these are, of course, the much loved blue whale, humpback
whale and gray whale. Closely followed by the also very famous dolphins and vaquita
marina porpoises.
The exhibition looks at many of these
species and has an impressive 38 cetacean skeletons on show. Over the years
these skeletons have been recovered from various strandings across the peninsula
from Mulege to Loreto. And they tell a big part of the biodiversity story of the
whole area.
And if the anatomy of cetaceans
is not enough for you, move on to the second display area where you will find manatees,
sea lions, seals and sharks. Follow that with a third exhibition that looks at
the 5 species of sea turtles found in the area. And finish up with a look around
the museum library and laboratory.
Sure to be enjoyed by children and
adults alike the museum is located right in the historic heart of La Paz, only
minutes from the beach on the famous Malecon boardwalk. Definitely worth a
visit.