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local Thursday 4 January 2024
National Park Arikok: Aruba’s biggest nature conservation

ways to survive in the dif- area for water birds and as
ficult conditions, and were a nursery area for a variety
The National Park Arikok ficially established in 2000. known as The Natural Pool. able to erect their homes of marine organisms. With
comprises almost 18 % of Arikok National Park is a The journey to the Pool is with materials found in the this addition, the areas un-
the island. Its rugged ter- 34 square kilometers (7907 and adventure by itself and area. Two of these adobe der FPNA management
rain, desert-like hills filled acres) of natural area, lo- only possible by foot, horse, houses have been restored. increased by 70 hectares
with tall cacti, breathtaking cated at the north-eastern ATV or 4×4 vehicle. Park rangers are learning while the amount of spe-
coastline and protected part of Aruba which con- many of the old building cies of flora and fauna to
local flora and fauna wel- tains examples of most of Cultural and Historical techniques in order to pre- be conserved to over 250.
come you to be explored. the island’s flora and fauna components serve this unique Aruban On December 21st, 2018
There are numerous animals against a backdrop of great There are a number of sites mud-house. At Cunucu (AB 2018 no. 77) Parke Ma-
to discover, for example the geological complexity. We within the park that attest Arikok and near Plantation rino Aruba – currently con-
sea turtle who lays his eggs are proud to state that ap- to the history of Aruba. The Prins you can find these sisting of four marine pro-
on the park’s beaches. proximately 18% of the total Caquetío Indians left rock adobe houses. tected areas (MPAs) – was
land area of Aruba is as- paintings in Cunucu Arikok officially established and
The national park Arikok signed as a National Park, and Fontein Cave. The bird Park Management subsequently brought un-
takes you on a memorable to protect and preserve the drawing in the park logo is a For the management of the der management of FPNA.
journey of the islands past flora, fauna, geology and copy of one of these histori- park, a dedicated foun- In 2019 management plans
offering unique geological, historical remains present cal artistic expressions. dation “Fundacion Parke will be established for the
cultural and historical sites. within Arikok National Park. Nacional Arikok” (FPNA), new MPAs which include:
These can all be enjoyed Old plantation (Cunucus) known today as the Aruba coral reefs, sea grass beds,
and explored either on your The Landscape sites tell the story of an ac- National Park Foundation mangrove systems, a large
own or during guided tours. There is a great geological tive yet challenging agricul- was established in July 2003. diversity of breeding sea-
A wide variety of educa- variety within the park. The tural past. In February 2017, mangrove birds. Parke Marino Aruba
tional and informative pro- main aspects are the rough and wetland RAMSAR site also contains potential shark
grams and fun activities is hills of the volcanic Aruba These Cunucus were also #198 Spanish Lagoon was nursery areas, endangered
available. lava formation, the mysteri- residential areas for the annexed to Arikok National sea turtle nesting beaches
ous rocks of the batholithic few families that worked the Park due to its importance and marine mammal nurs-
Did you know that four of quartz-diorite/tonalite, and land. These families found as a feeding and breeding ery areas.q
the in total seven species the limestone rocks from fos-
of sea turtle lay their eggs silized coral. The two tallest
on Aruba's beaches? In the hills on the island are situat-
national park, a Least Tern ed within the park. Jamano-
(Sternula antillarum) keeps a ta hill 188 meters (617 ft) and
strict eye on a very special Arikok hill 176 meters (577 ft),
event taking place below from which the name of the
on the beach: a majestic park is derived.
Leatherback (Dermochelys
coriacea) heads back to The line of the permanently
sea after laying her eggs, wind-and-wave beaten
while another nest laid 2 North Coast is broken by
months ago by the same several bays (boca’s). Most
female hatches—a very of them are small yet im-
rare occurrence of daytime pressive inlets at the mouth
nesting and hatching. Sea of dry riverbeds. Some of
turtles prefer nesting in the these bays (boca’s) are
cool and dark hours of the spectacular sights, adorned
night. And hatchlings usually with white, sandy beaches
wait for the cue of cooling and sand dunes, as is the
surface sand before emerg- case at Boca Prins and Dos
ing. Playa.

Nature Conservation Arikok is also home to Con-
The protected area of Na- chi, Aruba’s most impor-
tional Park Arikok was of- tant natural attraction; also