IMBECCABLE IMAGES
  • Home
  • Store
  • Blog
  • Our Mission/About Me
  • Home
  • Store
  • Blog
  • Our Mission/About Me
Search

Arikok National Park

9/12/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
Boca Prins - Print not for sale.
Arikok National Park is located in Aruba, an island that is a part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

All information in this post is from the Arikok National Park's official website: arubanationalpark.org

History of Arikok

Picture
Coral washed up on Dos Playa - Print not for sale.
The first known inhabitants of Aruba, and the Arikok National Park area were the Caquetío people.  You can see their rock paintings in Cunucu Arikok and Fontein Cave.

Besides the cave paintings, one other way the park literally "shows" its age is through the fossilized coral you can find in the park, mostly along the coastline of course.
Picture
Coral Fossil - Print not for sale.

The Beginnings of a National Park

Picture
Boca Prins - Print not for sale.

1960s - The idea of a National Park in Aruba starts to form.

1980 - A plan was presented for the development of the area of Arikok-Jamanota into a National Park

1990s - Multiple proposals and policies were passed in order to begin establishing protected areas that would become the National Park

2000 - Arikok National Park was officially established

Mission + Objectives

Picture
Sero Cabai - Print not for sale.
Mission: To conserve Aruba's Natural and Cultural Heritage for all generations while inspiring and engaging the local community and visitor's to do the same.
Objectives:
1. Preserve, protect, restore, develop, acquire, and obtain management of areas that are valuable from the perspective of the natural environment, geology, culture, archeology, and history.
2. Conduct scientific research or cause it to be conducted for the benefit of biodiversity, nature management, nature conservation, nature restoration, development of the natural environment, and knowledge development.
​3. Inspire the population to promote sustainable development.

Current / On-Going Projects

Picture
Boca Prins - Print not for sale.
1. Managing the current state of the flora, fauna, and ecosystems.
2. Monitoring the Bat Population
  • The Park hosts workshops where bats are captured to have health checkups and then released.
  • There are seven known species of bats in the Park.
  • The Park is conducting on-going research on the frugivore (fruit/plant eating) bats to ensure they have the proper fauna within the park to feed them.
  • The Park is trying to ensure that the bat population stays at healthy numbers. A healthy bat population = a healthy ecosystem.
3. Monitoring the Cascabel Population
  • Cascabels are a type of rattlesnake, and are therefore very venemous.
  • The Park is researching their optimal habitat, diet, and movements.
  • 40% of Cascabel deaths are caused by humans - accidental by vehicle and purposeful by rocks.
4. Reforestation
5. Restoration of Cunucu Arikok, the dwelling place of the Caquetío People.

Fun Facts

Picture
Tide Pools - Print not for sale.

Arikok National Park takes up 20% of the entire island of Aruba.

The Bays in Aruba are called "bocas".

The bird image that is part of the park logo is from one of the rock paintings by the Caquetío People.

In English, the foundation for the Park is called the "Aruba National Park Foundation" but the acronym is backwards. Why? Spanish is one of Aruba's main languages, and FPNA stands for Foundation Park Nacional Aruba.

0 Comments
<<Previous

     

    All
    Community
    Conservation / Special Events
    Cruises
    Learn Photography
    National Parks
    Photojournalism
    Travel / Aruba
    Travel / International Seas
    Travel / MX Quintana Roo
    Travel / NL North Holland
    Travel / NL South Holland
    Travel / USA California
    Travel / USA Colorado
    Travel / USA Florida
    Travel / USA Hawaii
    Travel / USA Minnesota
    Travel / USA Nebraska
    Travel / USA Oregon
    Travel / USA South Dakota
    Travel / USA Texas
    Travel / USA Washington
    Travel / USA Wisconsin
    Travel / USA Wyoming
    Zoos & Aquariums

© 2023 Imbeccable Images
​Aurora, Colorado, USA
Store
Blog
About
  • Home
  • Store
  • Blog
  • Our Mission/About Me