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LOCAL Tuesday 18 July 2023
National Park Arikok: Aruba’s biggest nature conservation

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