Page 11 - AHATA

Tuesday 29 april 2025 locAl
A10

National Park Arikok: Aruba’s biggest nature conservation

The National Park Arikok these adobe houses.
comprises almost 18 % of
the island. Its rugged ter- Park Management
rain, desert-like hills filled For the management of
with tall cacti, breathtaking the park, a dedicated
coastline and protected foundation “Aruba Conser-
local flora and fauna wel- vation Foundation (ACF),
come you to be explored. formerly known as Aruba
There are numerous ani- National Park Foundation.
mals to discover, for ex- This foundation was estab-
ample the sea turtle who lished in July 2003. In Feb-
lays his eggs on the park’s ruary 2017, mangrove and
beaches. wetland RAMSAR site #198
Spanish Lagoon was an-
The national park Arikok nexed to Arikok National
takes you on a memorable Park due to its importance
journey of the islands past as a feeding and breeding
offering unique geological, area for water birds and as
cultural and historical sites. a nursery area for a variety
These can all be enjoyed of marine organisms. With
and explored either on this addition, the areas un-
your own or during guided der FPNA management
tours. A wide variety of ed- increased by 70 hectares
ucational and informative while the amount of spe-
programs and fun activities cies of flora and fauna to
is available. be conserved to over 250.
On December 21st, 2018
Did you know that four of within the park that attest (AB 2018 no. 77) Parke Ma-
the in total seven species to the history of Aruba. The rino Aruba – currently con-
of sea turtle lay their eggs Caquetío Indians left rock sisting of four marine pro-
on Aruba's beaches? In paintings in Cunucu Arikok tected areas (MPAs) – was
the national park, a Least and Fontein Cave. The bird officially established and
Tern (Sternula antillarum) drawing in the park logo is subsequently brought un-
keeps a strict eye on a very a copy of one of these his- der management of ACF.
special event taking place torical artistic expressions. In 2019 management plans
below on the beach: a will be established for the
majestic Leatherback (Der- Old plantation (Cunucus) new MPAs which include:
mochelys coriacea) heads sites tell the story of an ac- coral reefs, sea grass beds,
back to sea after laying her tive yet challenging agri- mangrove systems, a large
eggs, while another nest cultural past. diversity of breeding sea-
laid 2 months ago by the birds. Parke Marino Aruba
same female hatches— These Cunucus were also also contains potential
a very rare occurrence residential areas for the shark nursery areas, en-
of daytime nesting and as is the case at Boca Prins few families that worked dangered sea turtle nest-
hatching. Sea turtles pre- The Landscape and Dos Playa. the land. These families ing beaches and marine
fer nesting in the cool and There is a great geological found ways to survive in mammal nursery areas.
dark hours of the night. And variety within the park. The Arikok is also home to Con- the difficult conditions, and
hatchlings usually wait for main aspects are the rough chi, Aruba’s most impor- were able to erect their Visit the National Park
the cue of cooling surface hills of the volcanic Aruba tant natural attraction; also homes with materials found Arikok to see the wonder of
sand before emerging. lava formation, the mysteri- known as The Natural Pool. in the area. Two of these Aruba’s nature. The visitor
ous rocks of the batholithic The journey to the Pool is adobe houses have been center in San Fuego and
Nature Conservation quartz-diorite/tonalite, and and adventure by itself and restored. Park rangers are entrance in Vader Piet (San
The protected area of Na- the limestone rocks from only possible by foot, horse, learning many of the old Nicolas) is open daily from
tional Park Arikok was of- fossilized coral. The two ATV or 4×4 vehicle. building techniques in or- 8:00 AM to 15:30 PM. Con-
ficially established in 2000. tallest hills on the island are der to preserve this unique tact the ACF via e-mail,
Arikok National Park is a situated within the park. Cultural and Historical Aruban mud-house. At Cu- info@acf.aw or call +297
34 square kilometers (7907 Jamanota hill 188 meters components nucu Arikok and near Plan- 585 1234 for more informa-
acres) of natural area, lo- (617 ft) and Arikok hill 176 There are a number of sites tation Prins you can find tion. q
cated at the north-eastern meters (577 ft), from which
part of Aruba which con- the name of the park is de-
tains examples of most of rived.
the island’s flora and fau-
na against a backdrop of The line of the permanently
great geological complex- wind-and-wave beaten
ity. We are proud to state North Coast is broken by
that approximately 18% several bays (boca’s). Most
of the total land area of of them are small yet im-
Aruba is assigned as a Na- pressive inlets at the mouth
tional Park, to protect and of dry riverbeds. Some
preserve the flora, fauna, of these bays (boca’s)
geology and historical re- are spectacular sights,
mains present within Arikok adorned with white, sandy
National Park. beaches and sand dunes,