Page 17 - AHATA

A9
LOCAL Thursday 15 May 2025

Aruba Birdlife Conservation:
New Homes for two pairs of Shocos

(Oranjestad)—In a powerful display community, their chosen nest sites
of community-driven conservation -dangerously close to areas of
and environmental education, the daily activity - posed a risk to the
International School of Aruba (ISA) birds and caused concerns for the
has become the first educational school management.
institution on the island to install Recognizing the importance of co-
two artificial burrows for Aruba’s existence and preservation, they
beloved and endangered burrow- reached out to Aruba Birdlife Con-
ing owl. The Aruba Burrowing Owl, servation (ABC) for guidance.
Athene cunicularia arubensis, is an Together with ABC, they agreed to
endemic subspecies that, known install two artificial burrows in safer,
to locals as “Shoco” can only be more strategic locations on cam-
found in Aruba. There are only an pus. These man-made burrows,
estimated two hundred pairs left on specially designed for Shocos, of-
Planet Earth. fer a secure and durable alterna-
tive for the vulnerable birds.
This project all began when two In the days leading up to the event,
pairs of Shocos had chosen ISA as 14 yards of gravel were delivered manpower, awareness and be- share their island including their
their nesting ground. While their to the school, a vital component in yond. Shocos.
presence delighted the school the construction of the burrows. On The involvement of these partners Aruba Birdlife Conservation com-
Saturday, May 10, at 8.00 a.m. in reflects the growing need for al- mends the International School of
the morning, teams started arriving liance between nature conser- Aruba for its visionary. As a part
with shovels, wheelbarrows, and a vation groups and Aruba’s tour- of its national shoco conservation
bobcat, nest materials and more. ism sector in building sustainable, plan placement of hundreds of ar-
One of the nest locations was in- community-rooted environmental tificial burrows is an important ob-
accessible to heavy machinery, practices. jective and with these serious and
required seven yards of gravel to One of the collaboration’s goals committed partners, we are well
be transported by wheelbarrow— of these “Founding Fathers” is very on our way.
an effort that became a wonderful clear: to raise awareness, instill a Photo credit: Aruba Birdlife
testament to teamwork. The sec- culture of care and conservation Conservation.
ond burrow, more easily accessed in Aruba’s youth, and ensure that
by the bobcat, was completed at future generations will continue to
a swifter pace.
Following the successful installation
came a morning of celebration
and ceremony.
Educational integration is already
underway at ISA, with biodiversity
and Shoco conservation themes
being incorporated into the curric-
ulum. This makes the artificial nests
not just homes for owls but living
classrooms - places where children
can witness firsthand the harmony
of science, action, and nature.
A new “breakthrough” element
in Shoco conservation has been
added to the effort. These conser-
vation partners are contributing in
a most significant way with among
others logistical support, materials,