Recent News

Santa Clause is coming to visit kids at BZS
Wednesday, December 03, 2014

Santa Claus will be on hand to visit with children at the Bermuda Zoological Society [BZS] on Saturday, December 6, 2014, with the fun getting underway at 10.00am. A professional photographer will be available to take photos of kids meeting Santa.


Tribute concert for Dr Burnie on Saturday
Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The spirit of Dr Neil Burnie was alive on Front Street today as his son Oscar played sax to promote a tribute concert taking place at Pier 6 on Saturday.


Photos: ‘Ocean Vet’ Dr. Burnie Laid To Rest
Monday, November 17, 2014

An entire flotilla of boats departed Albuoy’s Point on Sunday morning [Nov 16] as people from around the island made their way out onto the water in order to bid farewell to “Ocean Vet” Dr. Neil Burnie, who was buried at sea.


Dr Burnie given fitting ocean sendoff
Sunday, November 16, 2014

Dr Neil Burnie has been laid to rest, with his body placed in the water 600 fathoms deep at Western Blue Cut yesterday afternoon.


Dr Neil Burnie To Be Buried At Sea On Sunday
Friday, November 14, 2014

Dr. Neil Burnie will be buried at sea this coming Sunday [Nov 16], with boats set to leave Albuoys Point at about 10.00am, and anyone wanting to join in with their own boat is welcome to attend.



About

Governance
About Us
Board of Directors
Contact Us
Newsletter
Latest News
Gift & Bookstore

Contact

General Inquiries

(441) 293-2727

info@bzs.bm


Latest News

All the latest updates and news from the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, one of Bermuda's leading visitor attractions!

Making the case for parrot fish — and those plucky Costa Ricans
Bermuda Sun
Wednesday, July 09, 2014

Christopher Famous,
Sun columnist
Wednesday, July 09, 2014 7:59 AM

On Saturday I stepped back in time when I was taken to the Bermuda Aquarium Museum & Zoo by two of my children.

The last time I went to the Aquarium, you were issued white, hand-held audio guides to talk you through a walking tour. I guess with the recession that is now out of the equation.

As we walked around, we viewed various forms of marine life: colourful fish, eels, shellfish and coral formations.

I often wonder if fish have emotions and whether they know that they are trapped in an aquatic cage instead of roaming free around the world.

Reefs, not rocks

What caught my attention was the detailed explanation of the life of coral and the descriptions of the different types of coral. Sea Plumes are soft corals whilst Brain Corals are hard corals.

As a child, I grew up thinking that coral reefs were simply a rock and not a living, breathing, reproducing organism.

I have recently learned that in the Caribbean islands of Jamaica and the US Virgin Islands, the coral reefs are on the verge of extinction. Not because of nuclear waste or seabed mining but because of the loss of significant numbers of parrot fish.

Apparently, parrot fish are an integral part of the life cycle of the reef community. They spend ninety per cent of their day eating the parasites and algae that, if left unattended, would destroy the coral life.

So once parrot fish are removed from the equation, the parasites and algae are left to destroy the coral reefs.

Luckily in Bermuda, we have had stringent laws that protect parrot fish for a number of years. Time to hug an environmentalist.

For those who fish, please kill all the lionfish but leave the parrot fish in the water.

We can find symbolism on our reefs: the vital need for balance.

The Final Four

So we are down to the final four in The World Cup.

Argentina defeated Belgium 1-0, sending Mr Kompany and the guy with the afro hair home without a cup.

Then came the Match-of-the-Day between the David and Goliath of the quarter finals: The Netherlands versus Costa Rica. This game was one that had my mother, father, two of my sons and one of my daughters literally sitting at the edge of the couch.

We sat and watched a scoreless game for 90 minutes. Despite how many swan dives or “belly-busters” Mr Robben took, he could not score a goal or win a penalty.

Despite several open goals, Mr Van Persie seemed only content with hitting the goal post itself instead of the net. The irony was that the Netherlands controlled seventy per cent of the play but just could never finish.

Shoot-Outs

The game then went into 30 minutes of extra time, which again resulted in no score whatsoever. So the game went to the dreaded penalty shoot-out. 

It would seem as if the entire world was tuned in to who would score and who would save.

Despite the wishes of many around the world, Costa Rica missed two penalty shots and thus were eliminated from the tournament.

Holland, on the other hand, were exposed as lacking the ability to finish. That may prove pivotal in their game against Argentina today.

I am no fan of Lionel Messi but for the sake of small guys in South and Central America, I hope he sinks at least two into the back of The Netherlands’ net.

Viva Los Ticos!