Page 13 - AHATA

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local Friday 18 OctOber 2024
National Park Arikok: Aruba’s biggest nature conservation

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