Page 14 - AHATA

a8 local
Saturday 5 July 2025

Aruba’s Nature is to be Cherished

strict eye on a very special
event taking place below
on the beach: a majestic
Leatherback (Dermochelys
coriacea) heads back to sea
after laying her eggs, while
another nest laid 2 months
ago by the same female
hatches. A very rare occur-
rence of daytime nesting
and hatching. Sea turtles as they are known in Papia- of our entire island. Lately
prefer nesting in the cool and mento. This unusual looking there is a discussion going
dark hours of the night. And bird forages in shallow mud- on about the effect certain
hatchlings usually wait for the dy water while sweeping its activities have on our na-
cue of cooling surface sand flattened bill from side to side ture, for example the ATV
ST. CRUZ — The national park The national park Arikok before emerging. to catch small fish, crustae- vehicles cause a lot of dust,
Arikok comprises almost 18 takes you on a memorable ceans and other aquatic noise and leave tire tracks.
% of the island. Its rugged journey of the islands past Bubali Magic invertebrates. The Roseate Animals live in these areas
terrain, desert-like hills filled offering unique geological, This beautiful close-up image Spoonbill remains an un- where the vehicles run, of-
with tall cacti, breathtaking cultural and historical sites. of the pink bird is courtesy common sight as they are ten with high speed and with
coastline and protected lo- These can all be enjoyed of Michiel Oversteegen of vulnerable to degradation of detrimental consequences
cal flora and fauna welcome and explored either on your the Aruba Birdlife Conserva- feeding and nesting habitats to flora and fauna. Motor-
you to be explored. There is own or during guided tours. A tion. This important founda- (Wetlands). (Source: arikok ized vehicles are forbidden
numerous wildlife to discover wide variety of educational tion showcases and builds national park) to drive on the sand dunes
like for example the sea tur- and informative programs awareness of Aruba’s birds The aforementioned is just in the Northern part of the
tle who lays his eggs on the and fun activities is available. and other native flora and a part of what Aruba’s na- island and all beaches in
park’s beaches. There are Did you know that four of fauna. You may have seen a ture has to offer. We cannot Aruba are forbidden for any
more places on the island the in total seven species ‘pink cloud’ lately at the Bub- stress enough to go, see for motorized vehicle. Treasure
that are a preserved area of sea turtle lay their eggs ali or Spanish Lagoon Wet- yourself. The island has the our island to enjoy it like you
like the Bubali Plas which is on Aruba's beaches? In the lands areas? It’s most likely to most beautiful beaches but do: as a tropical and natural
a bird sanctuary. national park, a Least Tern be Roseate Spoonbills (Ajaia it is also worthwhile to go be- paradise. We truly appreci-
(Sternula antillarum) keeps a ajaja) or ‘Chucharon Cora’ yond this and get an idea ate it!q

Aruba to me

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