Page 22 - AHATA

Monday 7 July 2025 locAl
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National Park Arikok: Aruba’s biggest nature conservation

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