San Pancho, Nayarit — Mexico’s diverse coastlines have long been a haven for an array of migratory species, drawing creatures such as the gray whale, whale shark, and sea turtle to its shores. In recent years, however, a new visitor has piqued the interest of marine biologists and locals alike: Panchito Cortés, an elephant seal whose extraordinary journey from the southern reaches of Patagonia to Mexico’s Gulf Coast has captivated many.
The story of Panchito Cortés began in 2020 when a local resident in San Pancho, Nayarit, spotted the large marine mammal resting on the beach. The resident managed to capture several photographs of the seal, and these images would later play a crucial role in tracking Panchito’s subsequent appearances across Mexico’s coastline.
Marine biologists were able to confirm that the elephant seal spotted on the beaches of La Paz, Mulege, Puerto Peñasco, San Felipe, and Santa Clara over the next four years was indeed the same individual first seen in Nayarit. A distinctive mark on Panchito’s abdomen, visible in all photographs, provided the key to this identification.
Panchito’s journey is extraordinary, not just because of the distance traveled—an estimated 8,000 kilometers from Patagonia to Mexico—but also because he is the first known elephant seal of his species to make such a trek. This migration, which remains a mystery to scientists, has sparked widespread interest among specialists, particularly given the fact that the seal has now become a regular visitor to Mexican shores.
Panchito is believed to be between 9 and 10 years old, placing him roughly halfway through the typical 20-year lifespan of his species. Weighing around half a ton, he represents the remarkable physical endurance of elephant seals, which are known to spend up to a month at a time in the water.
The Cetaceans, Action, and Transformation organization has been closely monitoring Panchito’s visits since his first sighting in 2020. His travels have taken him to various locations across the Gulf of California, with the most recent sighting reported in July 2024 in Bahía de los Ángeles. In March of this year, Panchito was also spotted in San Felipe, Baja California, where the local community banded together to ensure the seal could rest peacefully on the beach without disturbance.
Despite the growing familiarity with Panchito, much about his visits remains unknown. Marine biologists and environmentalists are puzzled by his reasons for leaving the colder waters of Patagonia, where elephant seals typically reside, for the warmer beaches of Mexico. Equally mysterious is the frequency with which Panchito appears along the Gulf Coast, suggesting a pattern that researchers have yet to fully understand.
Panchito Cortés’ remarkable journey continues to inspire wonder and curiosity, not only among the scientific community but also among the many people who have had the chance to witness this rare visitor firsthand. His presence on Mexico’s beaches serves as a reminder of the incredible and often unpredictable migrations of marine life and the importance of protecting the diverse ecosystems that support such species.
As researchers continue to study Panchito’s behavior, they hope to unravel the enigma of his travels, contributing valuable insights into the life and habits of elephant seals and enriching our understanding of the natural world.