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.



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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!

Turtles released back into the wild
Royal Gazette
Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Owain Johnston-Barnes
Published Jun 27, 2017 at 6:26 pm (Updated Jun 27, 2017 at 6:26 pm)

RG_170628_1a.jpeg
Nice day for a swim: A turtle caught in the Great Sound in the advance of America’s Cup
is returned to the West End
(Photograph provided)

Almost 50 turtles caught in the Great Sound during the America’s Cup have been released after being temporarily held in Harrington Sound.

In May, the Ministry of the Environment announced it would be relocating turtles to prevent the animals from being struck by boats during the course of racing.

According to a spokeswoman, a total of 38 green turtles have been placed back in Western waters, while eight green turtles and three hawksbill turtles were released in the East End in mid-June and are expected to be making their way west.

“When the sea turtles were collected in late May, they were measured, weighed, photographed, microchipped and numbers were painted on their shells,” the spokeswoman said.

“It is estimated that the turtles ate 50 or more heads of lettuce per day while enclosed near the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo. They were fed at the deepest point of the enclosure by submerging trays of lettuce arranged to mimic sea grass beds. In this way, human interaction was minimised to prevent habituation,

Ian Walker, the principal curator and veterinarian at BAMZ, said: “While protection of the turtles from heightened marine traffic was the principal aim, we were able to closely monitor this group of green sea turtles. That has added information to our database that some turtles are dealing with very high parasite burdens.

“BAMZ keeps detailed records of all turtles that pass through our hands, whether this group or the turtles brought to us by members of the public for treatment or necropsy. Based on all our data, we think that disease resulting from high parasite burdens is becoming increasingly common.

“As high parasite burdens, often related to malnutrition, is now one of the leading causes of turtle morbidity and mortality in Bermuda, BAMZ is actively pursuing research to better understand and deal with this issue.”

Before release, the turtles were weighed and had flipper tags attached. A very small DNA sample was taken from each individual turtle before groups of turtles were taken by boat to the area where they were first collected in the Great Sound. This is so that these individual turtles can be readily identified if they are returned to BAMZ.

The spokeswoman said the turtles were transported on their backs on beds made from swimming noodles to keep them from moving, and were kept cool and hydrated in transit.

“Now that they are back in the Great Sound, their purpose-built, temporary enclosure will be dismantled,” the spokeswoman added.