(Petatán (Isla de Petatán)) Every winter, the Mexican village of Petatan welcomes thousands of migrating pelicans from Canada. He would now like to see the arrival of tourists who would allow the village to emerge from the crisis caused by COVID-19.
Posted at 6:15 a.m.
Updated at 6:15 a.m.
This phenomenon is similar to the migration of monarch butterflies, and occurs at the same time, that is to say between October and April, proudly explain the inhabitants of this small town of 5000 people in the state of Michoacan, in the western Mexico.
But above all, they point out, in Petatan, we take special care of these seasonal visitors.
“Petatan is a fishing island, and every day the fishermen go to the lagoon, and use part of their catch to feed the pelicans,” explains Ana Lilia Manso, mayor of Cojumatlan de Régules, the municipality that includes Petatan.
The arrival each year of these “American pelicans” (this is the name of the species), which the Mexicans also call “borregones”, always attracts a few tourists from neighboring regions, who fill the restaurants and pay themselves canoe trips for closer bird watching.
But COVID-19 has for two years driven tourists away. And to get back on its feet, Petatan now hopes to gain exposure “nationally and globally. Everywhere, people know about the migration of the monarch butterfly, but the pelican is a bit forgotten”, regrets Mme Manso.
These thousands of birds with white plumage and yellow beaks, which can measure up to 1.75 m in length and three meters in wingspan, nevertheless form an impressive sight.
“We like them, our pelicans. They don’t bother us, and we take care of them,” says Enrique Martínez, a fisherman cutting up pieces of fish and bones to feed the pelicans, which do not fish at depth. Every day, the fishermen give their “borregones” between one and two tons of food.
“We would like people to come and see them, and advertise us,” he adds, a tone of hope in his voice.