Page 12 - AHATA

a8 local
Wednesday 11 June 2025

National Park Arikok: Aruba’s biggest nature conservation

The National Park Arikok on the beach: a majestic torical remains present within
comprises almost 18 % of Leatherback (Dermochelys Arikok National Park.
the island. Its rugged ter- coriacea) heads back to sea within the park that attest Lagoon was annexed to
rain, desert-like hills filled after laying her eggs, while The Landscape to the history of Aruba. The Arikok National Park due to
with tall cacti, breathtaking another nest laid 2 months There is a great geological Caquetío Indians left rock its importance as a feeding
coastline and protected ago by the same female variety within the park. The paintings in Cunucu Arikok and breeding area for water
local flora and fauna wel- hatches—a very rare oc- main aspects are the rough and Fontein Cave. The bird birds and as a nursery area
come you to be explored. currence of daytime nest- hills of the volcanic Aruba drawing in the park logo is a for a variety of marine organ-
There are numerous animals ing and hatching. Sea turtles lava formation, the mysteri- copy of one of these histori- isms. With this addition, the
to discover, for example the prefer nesting in the cool and ous rocks of the batholithic cal artistic expressions. areas under FPNA manage-
sea turtle who lays his eggs dark hours of the night. And quartz-diorite/tonalite, and ment increased by 70 hect-
on the park’s beaches. hatchlings usually wait for the the limestone rocks from fos- Old plantation (Cunucus) ares while the amount of
cue of cooling surface sand silized coral. The two tallest sites tell the story of an active species of flora and fauna
The national park Arikok before emerging. hills on the island are situated yet challenging agricultural to be conserved to over 250.
takes you on a memorable within the park. Jamanota past. On December 21st, 2018 (AB
journey of the islands past Nature Conservation hill 188 meters (617 ft) and 2018 no. 77) Parke Marino
offering unique geological, The protected area of Na- Arikok hill 176 meters (577 ft), These Cunucus were also Aruba – currently consisting
cultural and historical sites. tional Park Arikok was official- from which the name of the residential areas for the few of four marine protected ar-
These can all be enjoyed ly established in 2000. Arikok park is derived. families that worked the land. eas (MPAs) – was officially es-
and explored either on your National Park is a 34 square These families found ways to tablished and subsequently
own or during guided tours. A kilometers (7907 acres) of The line of the permanently survive in the difficult condi- brought under management
wide variety of educational natural area, located at the wind-and-wave beaten tions, and were able to erect of ACF. In 2019 management
and informative programs north-eastern part of Aruba North Coast is broken by sev- their homes with materials plans will be established for
and fun activities is available. which contains examples of eral bays (boca’s). Most of found in the area. Two of the new MPAs which include:
most of the island’s flora and them are small yet impressive these adobe houses have coral reefs, sea grass beds,
Did you know that four of fauna against a backdrop of inlets at the mouth of dry riv- been restored. Park rangers mangrove systems, a large
the in total seven species great geological complexity. erbeds. Some of these bays are learning many of the old diversity of breeding sea-
of sea turtle lay their eggs We are proud to state that (boca’s) are spectacular building techniques in order birds. Parke Marino Aruba
on Aruba's beaches? In the approximately 18% of the sights, adorned with white, to preserve this unique Aru- also contains potential shark
national park, a Least Tern total land area of Aruba is sandy beaches and sand ban mud-house. At Cunucu nursery areas, endangered
(Sternula antillarum) keeps a assigned as a National Park, dunes, as is the case at Boca Arikok and near Plantation sea turtle nesting beaches
strict eye on a very special to protect and preserve the Prins and Dos Playa. Prins you can find these ado- and marine mammal nursery
event taking place below flora, fauna, geology and his- be houses. areas.
Arikok is also home to Con-
chi, Aruba’s most impor- Park Management Visit the National Park Arikok
tant natural attraction; also For the management of the to see the wonder of Aruba’s
known as The Natural Pool. park, a dedicated founda- nature. The visitor center in
The journey to the Pool is and tion “Aruba Conservation San Fuego and entrance in
adventure by itself and only Foundation (ACF), formerly Vader Piet (San Nicolas) is
possible by foot, horse, ATV known as Aruba National open daily from 8:00 AM to
or 4×4 vehicle. Park Foundation. This foun- 15:30 PM. Contact the ACF
dation was established in via e-mail, info@acf.aw or
Cultural and Historical July 2003. In February 2017, call +297 585 1234 for more
components mangrove and wetland information. q
There are a number of sites RAMSAR site #198 Spanish