Page 17 - AHATA

a8 local
Monday 10 noveMber 2025

Enjoy one of the best views on Aruba at the top of the Hooiberg Hill

(Oranjestad)—If you are a Tromp constructed it. At that
regular hiker, or maybe want time, the staircase consisted
to spice up your morning of 900 steps. Over time, as
work out session, then you the steps faced erosion,
might enjoy one of the most the government decided
popular climbing sites on the to renovate these stairs in
island: The Hooiberg Hill. Ac- 1991. This new project de-
companied with a 600-step livered the newer staircase
staircase, this hill overlooks with only 587 steps. However,
a great part of the island, don’t be fooled—it may still
the Caribbean sea, and be a work out to get on top.
sometimes even the Santa In addition, there is now a
Anna mountain located in gazebo placed halfway up
the coastal state of Falcon the stair for a little rest. The
in Venezuela, providing one view at this resting stop is also
of the best views you can get a sight to see.
on Aruba.
The best time to climb the
located at the center district hill would be early in the
of the island, Santa Cruz, the morning or right before sun-
Hooiberg Hill is the second (or about 540 feet above ters (620 feet), located in the The staircase that run on the set, as it may not be as hot.
highest point on the island at sea level). The highest point Arikok National Park. side of the hill was first built However, the hill is of course
165 meters above sea level is Jamanota Hill at 189 me- in 1951, when Mr. Eduardo open all day, every day.q

PSA from the Aruba Conservation Foundation:

How to behave when you see a “lora”

(Oranjestad)— The conservation of the Yel- tive responsibility to help them adapt to the
low-Shouldered Amazon, also known as the wild once again. Please play your part by not
‘Lora,’ relies on how we act as humans. We’ve interfering (calling, provoking etc.) with the
seen many hikers who’ve encountered the Lora. Simply enjoy their beauty from a safe
‘Lora’ in our protected nature areas and we distance.
can certainly imagine the pride and joy it
brings to any Aruban. However, not everyone Be respectful and keep cats and dogs away
may know how to behave when encounter- Pets and strays such as cats and dogs are
ing these clever and social birds. This guide prone to attacking other animals, especially
is here to explain the behaviors that will most birds, as part of their natural instincts. Please
effectively help us in our efforts to conserve make sure your pets are kept inside of your
the ‘Lora.’ Please, don’t just read but also fol- yard or are kept on a leash when going out
low these guidelines so we can ensure the for a walk.
survival of these birds for future generations.
Do not feed them food or water
No interfering, please You may think that giving the any food or
Please refrain from interfering with the “Lora”. water is doing a good deed, but it actually
The Lora is a highly intelligent and does not contribute to them developing sur-
social animal, perhaps slight- vival skills in the wild. By interfering with the
ly too friendly because survival instincts of wild animals, we are doing
they have gotten used the opposite of helping. Therefore, please do
to the rangers as they not attempt to give the Loras food or water.
prepared for their rein-
troduction. However, Capturing a Lora is against the law!
it is our collec- The biggest threat to the Lora before their
extinction in 1947 was caused by human ac-
tivities including poaching and killing of the
Lora. Let’s work collectively to prevent this
from happening again. So when you see the
Lora, enjoy their beauty from a distance and
admire them as they flourish in the wild.q