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local Friday 31 March 2023
National Park Arikok: Aruba’s biggest

nature conservation

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