Every winter, the Mexican village of Pepatan welcomes thousands of expatriate pelicans from Canada.

He would now like to see the arrival of tourists who will help the village overcome the crisis of Kovid.

This phenomenon is similar to the migration of monarch butterflies, and occurs at the same time, that is, between October and April, proudly explain the residents of this small town of 5,000 people in the state of Michoacan in western Mexico.

But above all, he explains, at Pataton, we take special care of these seasonal visitors.

“Payton is an island of fishermen, and every day fishermen go to the lagoon, and use part of their catch to feed the pelicans”, AFP Ana Lilia Manaso, mayor of Cojumatlán de Regules, the municipality that includes Payton, tell to.

The annual arrival of these “American pelicans” (this is the species name), also known as Mexican “borregons”, has always attracted some tourists from neighboring areas, who fill restaurants and canoe themselves for closer bird watching. pay travel. ,

But Kovid drove away tourists for two years. And to get back on his feet, Payton now hopes to gain exposure “nationally and globally.”

Everywhere, people know about the migration of the monarch butterfly, but the pelicans are a bit forgotten,” regrets Ms Manso.

These thousands of birds with white plumage and yellow beaks, which can reach 1.75 meters in length and a wingspan of up to three meters, still make for an impressive spectacle.

“We like them, our pelicans. They don’t bother us, and we take care of them,” says Enrique Martínez, a fisherman who cuts pieces of fish and bones to feed to pelicans, which are not deep fish. eat.

Every day, fishermen give their “borregon” between one and two tons of food.

“We want people to come and see them, and advertise to us,” he adds, a hopeful tone in his voice.