Date established: 2003
Area (Km2): 34

General description of site:
Natural:
Most of the flora and fauna present on the island is found in the park area. Generally these are plants and animals that are adapted to the harsh conditions caused by the drought and the strong East trade wind with salt spray. Besides various types of cacti the park is home to some 50 different species of trees, some of which are threatened with extinction and thus deserve special protection. Animals in the park entail mostly birds and reptiles.

There is a great geological variety within the park. The main aspects are: the rough hills of the volcanic Aruba lava formation, the rocks of the batholithic quartz-diorite/tonalite, and the limestone rocks from fossilized coral. Jamanota, Aruba’s tallest hill (187m) is part of the park and at the eastern side are various grottos and caves, such as at Fontein, Quadirikiri, Baranca Sun u and Huliba. The line of the
permanently wind-and wave-beaten North Coast is broken by several boca’s (impressive inlets at the mouths of dry river-beds) adorned with white beaches and sand dunes, as at Boca Prins and Dos Playa.

Cultural and historic:
There are a number of sites within the park that attest to the history of Aruba. The pre-Columbian Indian inhabitants left petroglyphs (rock paintings) in Cunucu Arikok and Fontein Cave. The park logo is a copy of one of these paintings. Old aloe fields can be seen at the park entrance and in Rooi Dwars. Former agricultural fields can be found to the West of the park: so-called cunucus that were used to grow sorghum and beans. There are two restored adobe houses. Gold was found in Aruba in the early 19th century, and traces of gold-mining are spread throughout the park region. The shafts and ruins of the largest gold mining complex,, at Miralamar, have been made accessible and can be visited.

Ecosystems:
The (mostly dry) river beds and other wind-shielded areas with characteristic flora and fauna, including the leeward side of several hills. There are also some mangrove concentrations near the North Coast. Further, the cavea have their own habitats.

Threatened, endangered, endemic species:
Fauna:
Prikichi (West Indian Parakeet-Aratinga pertinax arubensis),
Shoco (Burrowing Owl-Athene cunicularia arubensis),
Kododo Blou/Blousana (Blue Lizard-Cnemidiphorus arubensis),
Cascabel (Aruba Rattlesnake-Crotalis unicolor).

Flora:
Palisia cora (Bursera simaruba)
Brazil (haematoxylon brasiletto)
Azufro (Pereskia guamacho)
Mahawa (ficus brittoni)

Internationally recognition:
National park status

Legal status:
Foundation, legally protected area

Vision and goals:
Vision:
Preserving, protecting and administering the present flora, fauna, landscapes, ecological habitats and cultural-historical heritage, so that present and future generations can profit from this.

Main Goal(s):

• Protection and conservation of a unique part of the natural and cultural landscape of Aruba
• Promoting scientific research on aspects of the park
• Developing educational programs
• Developing recreative and touristic sites of interest in the park
• Letting the population become aware of the importance of preserving the park, by publicity, excursions, and the like

Site Management

Visitation: about 100.000 visitors per year
Management body: Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok
Type of management structure: Board, management, administration, rangers

Main challenges:

• Development pressure
  
• Active quarries
  
• Illegal off-road driving
  
• Private properties inside the park

Does a management plan exist? Yes

Main stakeholders:

• Locals
  
• Tourists
  
• Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA)
  
• Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association (AHATA)
  
• Tour operators
  
• Local government
  

Listing of current/recent research activities:

• YEAR 2005 Research title: Bat activity in the windpark area at Vader Piet, Aruba
• YEAR 2005 Research title: Biology and control of the invasive boa constrictor on island of Aruba (preliminary).t InforB=mation and Web Links

Contact Information Fundacion Parke Nacional Arikok
Address: Santa Cruz 82-A, Aruba, Dutch Caribbean
Phone: +297-992-9376
Fax: +297 582 8961
Email: fpna@setarnet.aw
Website: www.arubanationalpark.org

Director: Ambrosio Curiel