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local Friday 25 april 2025

Aruba’s Nature is to be Cherished

ST. CRUZ — The national cultural and historical sites. the same female hatches.
park Arikok comprises al- These can all be enjoyed A very rare occurrence
most 18 % of the island. Its and explored either on of daytime nesting and
rugged terrain, desert-like your own or during guided hatching. Sea turtles pre-
hills filled with tall cacti, tours. A wide variety of ed- fer nesting in the cool and
breathtaking coastline and ucational and informative dark hours of the night. And
protected local flora and programs and fun activities hatchlings usually wait for
fauna welcome you to be is available. the cue of cooling surface
explored. There is numer- Did you know that four of sand before emerging.
ous wildlife to discover like the in total seven species
for example the sea turtle of sea turtle lay their eggs Bubali Magic
who lays his eggs on the on Aruba's beaches? In This beautiful close-up im-
park’s beaches. There are the national park, a Least age of the pink bird is cour-
more places on the island Tern (Sternula antillarum) tesy of Michiel Overstee- and other aquatic inverte- certain activities have on
that are a preserved area keeps a strict eye on a very gen of the Aruba Birdlife brates. The Roseate Spoon- our nature, for example the
like the Bubali Plas which is special event taking place Conservation. This impor- bill remains an uncommon ATV vehicles cause a lot of
a bird sanctuary. below on the beach: a tant foundation showcases sight as they are vulnerable dust, noise and leave tire
majestic Leatherback (Der- and builds awareness of to degradation of feeding tracks. Animals live in these
The national park Arikok mochelys coriacea) heads Aruba’s birds and other na- and nesting habitats (Wet- areas where the vehicles
takes you on a memorable back to sea after laying tive flora and fauna. You lands). (Source: arikok na- run, often with high speed
journey of the islands past her eggs, while another may have seen a ‘pink tional park) and with detrimental con-
offering unique geological, nest laid 2 months ago by cloud’ lately at the Bubali sequences to flora and fau-
or Spanish Lagoon Wet- The aforementioned is just na. Motorized vehicles are
lands areas? It’s most likely a part of what Aruba’s na- forbidden to drive on the
to be Roseate Spoonbills ture has to offer. We can- sand dunes in the Northern
(Ajaia ajaja) or ‘Chucharon not stress enough to go, see part of the island and all
Cora’ as they are known in for yourself. The island has beaches in Aruba are for-
Papiamento. This unusual the most beautiful beach- bidden for any motorized
looking bird forages in shal- es but it is also worthwhile vehicle. Treasure our island
low muddy water while to go beyond this and get to enjoy it like you do: as a
sweeping its flattened bill an idea of our entire island. tropical and natural para-
from side to side to catch Lately there is a discussion dise. We truly appreciate
small fish, crustaeceans going on about the effect it!q