Page 13 - AHATA

A9
LOCAL Friday 21 March 2025

Aruba’s Nature is to be Cherished

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