Eric van der Burg, Secretary of State for the Interior and Kingdom Relations, visited the Shoco Sanctuary at the Tierra del Sol golf course last week. The visit formed part of his official working visit to the Leeward Islands, which focused on cooperation within the Kingdom, economic development, and nature conservation.
The Secretary of State was accompanied by a delegation that included Barbera Wolfensberger, Director-General for Kingdom Relations, and Gerbert Kunst, Representative of the Netherlands. The group was welcomed by Greg Peterson, Chairman of Aruba Birdlife Conservation, along with Ashiko Martinez, representing Iberostar, and Ryan Bareño, representing Marriott—two important private-sector partners of the Shoco project. Together, they toured the Sanctuary and visited several artificial Shoco burrows.
During the tour, the delegation learned about the Shoco (Athene cunicularia arubensis), a remarkable subspecies found only in Aruba and officially designated a national symbol in 2012. The Shoco is therefore not only an important part of Aruba’s natural environment, but also of the island’s identity and cultural heritage.
Attention was also drawn to the serious threats facing the Shoco. Construction and the loss and fragmentation of its habitat are causing increasing numbers of natural nesting sites to disappear. Traffic, free-roaming dogs, and human disturbance also pose continuous threats to both adult Shocos and their young.
To support the species, Aruba Birdlife Conservation installs specially designed artificial burrows. These provide Shoco families with a safe place to nest and raise their young. The burrows form part of a broader conservation programme aimed at securing a sustainable future for the Shoco in Aruba.
During the visit, the parties also discussed the ambition to establish a second Shoco Sanctuary at the San Nicolas golf course. This future project could not only help protect the Shoco in southeastern Aruba, but also provide opportunities for scientific research, environmental education, community involvement, and responsible tourism.
The Shoco Sanctuary demonstrates how nature can be brought closer to residents and visitors. By introducing people to the Shoco in a respectful manner, the project encourages greater appreciation for nature and strengthens the understanding that conservation is a shared responsibility.
The project also highlights the importance of long-term cooperation between nature conservation organisations and the private sector. Conservation organisations contribute knowledge and experience, while committed businesses can provide space, resources, and sustained support. The partnership between Aruba Birdlife Conservation and its private-sector partners is a valuable example of this approach.
Secretary of State Van der Burg showed great interest in the initiative and expressed his appreciation for both the project and the information provided. Aruba Birdlife Conservation and its partners were, in turn, very pleased that he had taken the time within his busy schedule to personally visit this unique conservation project.
“Protecting the Shoco is not only a nature conservation responsibility,” said the Chairman of Aruba Birdlife Conservation. “It is also an investment in education, cooperation, and Aruba’s future. The Shoco is not only unique to and an inseparable part of our island; it is also unique within the Kingdom. Together, we have a responsibility to ensure that this national symbol is preserved for our children.”
