Page 12 - AHATA

a8 local
Thursday 31 July 2025
Aruba’s Nature is to be Cherished

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

Aruba to me

ORANJESTAD — You are back and we every day again.
would like to portrait you! By inviting you For today we received a lovely message
to send us your favorite vacation picture from Sal Trippi from New Jersey, USA.
while enjoying our Happy Island.
He wrote to us saying: “Aruba to me is
Complete the sentence: Aruba to me is ….my happy place. I brought my fam-
……. Send your picture with that text (in- ily here 14 years ago and I have been
cluding your name and where you are coming back ever since, every year, a
from) to: news@arubatoday.com and few years twice. Now, its not my happy
we will publish your vacation memory. place cause I drink all the time , lol I don’t
Isn’t that a special way to keep your best drink. This place is special, the people,
moments alive? Please do note: By sub- the weather and the locals. It’s where
mitting photos, text or any other materi- my wife and I reconnect and get away
als, you give permission to The Aruba To- from the fast paced life I live, and get to
day Newspaper, Caribbean Speed Print- relax like I never have been able to do
ers and any of its affiliated companies before. Look, I don’t read the paper at
to use said materials, as well as names, home, I just picked this Aruba Today pa-
likeness, etc. for promotional purposes per up at The Hilton and read the whole
without compensation. paper at 6.45am. Time to hit the beach!”
Last but not least: check out our website,
Instagram and Facebook page! Thank Thank you for sending us this wonderful
you for supporting our free newspaper, message sharing what Aruba means to
we strive to make you a happy reader you with us and our readers!q