7th September 2006 was an auspicious day at BAMZ as we welcomed a new edition to our marine family with the arrival of Kiesha the Mermaid. Few Aquariums around the world can boast of having their very own mermaid, so it was no surprise that local media flocked to the front of our North Rock Tank to see Kiesha make her first appearance!

On hand to greet her were the new Minister of the Environment, The Hon. K.H. Randolph Horton, JP, MP, Senator The Hon. David Burch, JP, Minister of Works and Engineering, BZS President, Bob Steinhoff, Jack Ward, Director of Conservation Services, together with Acting Principal Curator, Dr. Ian Walker, Acting Curator Patrick Talbot, and numerous other staff and volunteers.

Kiesha the Mermaid is the creation of Pastor Daron Lowe, a graphic designer by profession and the author of several children’s books. Kiesha is an island girl who enjoys swimming and appreciates Bermuda’s natural environment. She has no special powers but when she falls asleep she dreams of being a mermaid who has many adventures with her fellow sea creatures and begins to realize that people are not taking care of our beautiful waters which Kiesha calls her very own “underwater garden”.

During the early stages of development, Daron and producer, Elmore Warren, brought their concept to BAMZ and it was quickly realized that Kiesha could be a perfect fit with our Education programme for young children. The Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) came on board as sponsors of Kiesha the Mermaid, along with the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Works & Engineering. A close liaison has been established with our Education Team which is assisting in providing technical advice on themes for Kiesha’s animated stories on DVD, and in books. Kiesha’s strong conservation messages are being incorporated into our Education programme.

For anyone wishing to see more of Kiesha, our shop is now selling her DVD’s and colouring books. Her DVD’s will be played in Local Tails, and Kiesha (in costume) will be available to attend birthday parties and other special functions held here at BAMZ.