Page 11 - AHATA

a8 local
Thursday 15 June 2023

The Ostrich Farm

Matividiri– One of the most entertaining
vacation activities is a visit to the Ostrich
Farm, a popular stopover on most island
jeep tours.

Locals and visitors enjoy the guided
ostrich tour at the farmand features a
well-stocked locally crafted and pro-
duced Art Boutique. The highlight of the
visit is always the fun interaction with
the resident ostriches and emus, includ-
ing a trip to the incubators and the bird her wings and also poked around, be-
kindergarten,housing baby ostriches, fore collapsingon the ground in a heap
baby emus, chicken and ducks, and of feathers, allowing him to mount her,
even a land turtle! shaking, winding and spiraling his head
It was a National Geographic moment in all direction!
when on cue Mr. Ostrich flapped his Mr. Ostrich concluded his unexpected
wings excitedly and poked around the performance with a loud honking, his
ground with his bill, triggering Mrs. Os- eyes rolling, then got up in a huff to non-
trich who ran around in circles, flapped chalantly strut away, leaving his wife
and the scrutiny of our cameras. It was
a surprise reality TV moment, and not
usually included in the regular program.
Feeding the Ostriches is however always
on the program, and they are eternally
hungry, and fun!
Tours are available daily every half hour
from 10– 3pm. No reservations needed
for small groups. q

Matividiri 57, Open daily
from 10:00 AM till 4:00 PM
Telephone: 5859630
For more information go to the website:
www.arubaostrichfarm.com

Hammerheads Hang in the Balance:
Why These Sharks Deserve a Helping Hand

these sharks at the species have a negative impact on with the Republic of France
level complicated. This has these animals. plan to submit a proposal
resulted in varying success during the next conference
for management and con- Protection of the parties for the Carta-
servation actions, allowing There are many organi- gena Convention (COPS)
loopholes for unwanted zations and individuals to upgrade these sharks
hammerhead shark mor- working to protect ham- to the Annex II list. This will
talities to continue. merhead sharks and their allow for these species to
(Hammerhead) sharks are habitats in the Caribbean. receive additional pro-
apex predators, which A significant milestone was tection moving forward,
means that they are at the the establishment of pro- ensuring these sharks are
top of its food web and tected areas such as the free to roam the Caribbe-
have no natural preda- Yarari Marine Mammal and an waters and contribute
(Hammerhead) sharks play will give the Dutch Carib- tors. Sharks help keep their Shark Sanctuary between to healthy ecosystems for
an important role in main- bean the tools they need prey population healthy the BES islands. However, years to come.q
taining healthy oceans, to further protect these vital by eating the sick and in- additional efforts are cru-
which is important for the sharks moving forward. jured, while also affect- cial to create more marine Photo credit: Ben Phillips (all
fisheries and the economy ing their prey’s distribution. protected areas, reduce rights reserved)
of the Caribbean islands. Hammerhead sharks, Ge- In healthy oceans, sharks pollution in the ocean, and
Later this year, the Dutch nus Sphyrna, are found all help to maintain stable fish promote sustainable fishing
and French governments around the world. Three of stocks and healthy coral practices.
will officially propose that nine world’s species can reefs and seagrass beds,
three species of hammer- be found in the Carib- which is important for the In 2017, hammerhead
head sharks are added bean, including the scal- fisheries and the economy sharks were added to the
to the SPAW Protocol An- loped hammerhead, the (tourism) of the islands. Annex III list of the SPAW
nex II list during the next smooth hammerhead, and (Hammerhead) sharks Protocol, but this has not
Conference of the parties the great hammerhead. are vulnerable to human resulted in the desired re-
for the Cartagena Con- These species have a simi- threats. Overfishing, pollu- covery of their populations.

vention (COPS) on Aruba. lar overall appearance, tion, and climate change Therefore, the Kingdom
This increased protection which makes identifying are all factors that can of the Netherlands along facebook.com/arubatoday/