Gray Whales, Tourists Migrate to Mexico's Coast

April 16, 2005 — -- Every spring in the San Ignacio Lagoon, off of the California Baja coast of Mexico, thousands of whales travel through the waters to give birth to calves and gain strength for their migration north to Alaska.

At the same time, hundreds of American tourists also migrate to the lagoon to ride in boats among the whales, call to them and even pet them.

Dick Russell, an environmental journalist, wrote the book, "The Eye of the Whale," about these magnificant creatures.

"These animals are huge," he said. "The mothers are more than 30 feet long. The babies are 2,000 pounds at birth and eight feet long."

Gray whales were hunted nearly to extinction by the mid-20th century. After being granted endangered species protection in 1946, the population has rebounded to more than 21,000 and the gray whale was taken off the list in 1994.

The mammoth creatures swim right up to small boats full of tourists, seeming to have no fear of humans.

"This lagoon, I think, is one of the most special places that we have left in the world," Russell said. "Often the adult [gray whale] will push the young whale toward the boat as if to say, 'These are people and they are friendly. Let's get to know them.' "

The locals still call these giant mammals "devil fish" because they were so dangerous to hunt, but now visitors say it is nearly a transforming experience to be among the whales.

Naturalist Caroline Lene Armon said that for many people, being among the whales is highly emotional.

"I've seen very reserved people break down and cry after having a physical interaction with a whale," she said.

The adult whales and their calves will cozy right up to the boats.

"It's not slimy or anything," said one tourist. "It was just like a rubber glove, but with barnacles."

Another tourist was rendered nearly speechless during a recent trip.

"It was amazing. I don't even have a word for it," she said.