Recent News

Tour de Turtles Race begins
Thursday, August 15, 2013

Two juvenile green sea turtles are being tracked by scientists as part of the Tour de Turtles Race on the Rock.


Looking after turtles — Island hosts international course
Thursday, August 15, 2013

The Bermuda Zoological Society is hosting an international course on the biology and conservation of sea turtles.


Dolphin leaves Somerset waters, heads to sea
Wednesday, August 14, 2013

After swimming around super close to shore in Somerset, the dolphin that caused a stir on Monday [Aug 12] has returned to the deeper waters and has not been spotted close to shore since


Warning as children swim with wild dolphin in Somerset (Update)
Wednesday, August 14, 2013

A dolphin that appears to be stranded near Somerset Long Bay has been in the area all day.


Lone dolphin leaves Somerset Long Bay area
Wednesday, August 14, 2013

A dolphin feared stranded in Somerset Long Bay has left the area.



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!

Longtail chicks might not be abandoned, but beware just in case
Royal Gazette
Friday, August 09, 2013

By Owain Johnston-Barnes
Published Aug 9, 2013 at 8:00 am

RG_130809_1a.jpeg
A bird in the hand: Principal curator for the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, Dr Ian Walker
examines a Longtail that was found stranded on Horseshoe Beach last week. Dr. Walker (center)
is pictured with curator of BAMZ Patrick Talbot and Kamille Minors, a summer student who has
worked with BAMZ for many years and is studying to become a veterinary technician.

The Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) is calling for the public to look out for stranded Longtail chicks as the birds prepare for their first flights.

A spokeswoman said that during August and September Longtail chicks are sometimes found seemingly abandoned, either on land or floating in water, but often the “abandonment” is a normal part of their development.

“Nevertheless, the BAMZ would still encourage the public to bring in a bird they believe is abandoned so that technical staff can assess the animal,” the spokeswoman added.

Over the summer months, Longtail chicks go through a eight-to-ten-week fledging process, losing their down feathers and growing flight feathers.

During this process, Longtail parents feed the chicks until they are ‘supersized’. While an adult Longtail typically weighs between 350g and 400g, the fledglings can weigh as much as 600g.

“When the chicks are ready to leave the nest they stop eating, which is a signal to the parents to stop feeding,” she said.

“Hatching and fledging in a hole in a cliff restricts the young bird’s ability to exercise its wings and take practice flights as woodland birds or those that nest in the open might do. Therefore, a Longtail chick’s first flight presents an almost ‘do or die’ scenario for the chick.

“It is at this point the public sometimes bring in chicks because they think they have been abandoned. However, the chick is actually slowly losing weight and building up courage to fly. This process can take over a week, hence the seeming abandonment.

“During the summer boating season more people get out on the water and come across Longtails they believe are in trouble. So far this year [BAMZ] have received six Longtails — three adults and three chicks.”

Anyone who finds a Longtail (adult or chick) injured or compromised in some way is asked to contact BAMZ at 293-2727.