Recent News

Earth Day to be celebrated around the island today
Friday, April 22, 2022

People in Bermuda will join millions around the world today to celebrate the planet and its environment for the 52nd annual Earth Day.


Drivers urged to fill their tanks and help good causes
Friday, February 11, 2022

Bermuda’s drivers have been asked to fill their tanks for a good cause as a charity event combining fun and fundraising goes for its 53rd annual spin tomorrow.


Zoological Society Launch Micro Forest Project
Monday, November 22, 2021

The Bermuda Zoological Society [BZS], in partnership with RenaissanceRe, is initiating a pilot project to “promote biodiversity and stewardship of our natural heritage by creating several sustainable micro forests.”


Aurum Fund Management Donates To BZS
Wednesday, September 15, 2021

Aurum Fund Management Limited has donated $12,500 to the Bermuda Zoological Society [BZS] to aid in the creation of a saltwater pond to support the growth of Black Mangroves on Trunk Island.

A spokesperson said, “The Bermuda Zoological Society is happy to announce that Aurum Fund Management Limited have donated $12,500 to the creation of a saltwater pond to support the growth of Black Mangroves on Trunk Island – the BZS ‘Living Classroom.’ An anonymous donor also assisted with funds for the project.


BZS To Host Zoom Around The Sound On Sept 18
Thursday, September 02, 2021

The Bermuda Zoological Society will be holding the annual Zoom Around The Sound event on Saturday, September 18th.

A spokesperson said, “Are you ready to zoom with the Bermuda Zoological Society? Join the annual Zoom Around the Sound event on Saturday, 18th September and help the BZS raise funds for their education and conservation programmes.



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Latest News

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

Two fish recognised as unique to Island’s waters
Royal Gazette
Tuesday, December 03, 2013

By Owain Johnston-Barnes
Published Dec. 3, 2013 at 8:00 am (Updated Dec. 2, 2013 at 10:33 pm)

RG_131203_1a.jpeg
The yellowfin chromis, one of two species recently recognised
as being endemic to Bermuda by the Smithsonian Institution.

A pair of Bermuda fish species have been recognised by the Smithsonian Institution as being unique to Bermuda’s waters.

The yellowfin chromis and the Collette’s halfbeak have been classified as endemic to Bermuda in an update to the authoritative 1999 Fishes of Bermuda publication. Both species have been known in Bermuda’s waters for some time but were only recently determined to be endemic.

Report writers William Smith-Vaniz and Bruce Collette also identified differences between the endemic Bermuda creole wrasse and its Caribbean relatives, suggesting they may also prove to be endemic.

“We recently became aware of two colour photographs, one of a school and the other of a single individual ... of wrasses from Bermuda (Lucas 2012) identified as clepticus parrae,” the researchers wrote.

RG_131203_1b.jpeg
The Collette’s halfbeak, one of two species recently recognised as being endemic
to Bermuda by the Smithsonian Institution. ((Photo credit to Heidi M. Banford))

“Terminal phase adults are distinctive in having very elongate outer caudal-fin rays, mostly solid blue body and fins and a bright yellow snout. We predict that subsequent research will show these fish to be another Bermuda endemic. All records of clepticus parrae from Bermuda apparently are based on misidentification of this undescribed clepticus.”

They noted the terminal male yellowhead wrasse, called “Redbacks” locally, have different colouration than its counterparts elsewhere in the region.

The Smithsonian also listed several species not previously known to reside in Bermuda, such as the whitenose pipefish, the roughtail stingray, a deepwater opah and blackear wrasse.

A Bermuda Zoological Society spokeswoman said: “In all, 24 new records were listed, and five older records have been discounted as errors, reminding us that we still have much to discover about life on our reefs and that diligent citizen scientists, fishermen and naturalists all have key roles to play.”

The research paper is available at the Natural History Museum Library at the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo.