ORANJESTAD (AAN): The Shoco, Aruba’s national owl, is a protected species of great cultural and ecological importance to the island. To safeguard the Shoco population, Aruba has established two laws focused on conservation, respect, and responsible protection of the species for both present and future generations.
Ms. Shahayra Croes, spokesperson for the Directorate of Nature and Environment (DNM), explained that these laws also outline the legal consequences for actions that threaten the safety of Shoco owls or their nesting sites.
Ms. Croes stated that when citizens discover a Shoco nest — for example, at construction sites — they should immediately contact DNM to register the location. In such cases, the nest must be left undisturbed, and construction activities should be halted to prevent the owls from being frightened away or abandoning their nests.
DNM also advises developers and property owners to take preventive measures before construction begins, especially in areas where Shoco owls are known to nest in rocky hillsides. Covering openings with tarps and sealing pipes can help prevent owls from selecting these sites for nesting.
Once a nest is officially registered, DNM inspectors will visit the location to confirm its presence. If the nest is located on public land, an official notice will be posted outlining permitted and prohibited actions under the law. These include prohibitions against disturbing, killing, capturing, stealing, or destroying the owl, its nest, eggs, or young. Inspections and monitoring will continue until the owls naturally abandon the nesting site.
Ms. Croes emphasized that violations of these laws and actions that endanger the Shoco or its nest can result in fines. Residents can report and register Shoco nesting sites by contacting DNM via telephone, through the official website dnmaruba.org, or via the organization’s Facebook page.
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