Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo
Encyclopedia
The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ) is a facility located in Flatts Village, Bermuda, about 700 miles East of the United States and at the geographic center of Bermuda. It was established in 1926 by the Bermuda government to enhance a growing tourism industry and "to inspire appreciation and care of island environments." The facility focuses on showing oceanic island species and in conservation, education, and research related to these species, and contains an aquarium, a natural history museum, and a zoo.
Support for the institution comes mainly from the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) and the Atlantic Conservation Partnership (ACP), both of which are supported primarily by donations and memberships.
The zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
(AZA) since 1993, and participates in four Species Survival Plans (SSP) as of 2009.
In 1991 and 1992, a major capital campaign raised $3 million for the construction of the North Rock Exhibit, the Australasia Exhibit, and the Caribbean Exhibit. The Bermuda government matched this funding to create new seawater reservoirs, infrastructure, and a new Education/Administration building.
The Atlantic Conservation Partnership (ACP), a U.S. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, was formed in 1994. ACP is a member and donor supported organization with the goal of furthering knowledge and conservation of island environments, and is now one of the two major support organizations for BAMZ.
In 1997 and 1998 the BZS raised enough money to endow a full-time Education Officer.
Bermudian naturalist Louis L. Mowbray
was director of that aquarium from 1928 to 1944. He was succeeded by his son Louis in 1944.
The Natural History Museum traces the geological formation and ecological development of the island, highlighting the island's role in the migration of many species of birds and marine animals.
Harbor Seal
s and Green Sea Turtle
s are housed in outdoor exhibits to the right and left of the main entrance.
The South American Aviary is one of the oldest exhibits in the facility. Visitors can walk through the aviary to see many exotic bird species native to the tropics.
The Caribbean Pink Flamingos exhibit shows Flamingos in a natural outdoor lake setting.
The Islands of the Caribbean exhibit showcases animals from the Caribbean islands, and is a large flight cage in which the animals are allowed to roam free. Visitors are confined to a path, but will get to see the animals close up and in their natural habitat.
The Islands of Australasia exhibit is a large indoor exhibit that showcases animals from Australia and Asia.
The Friends of Madagascar exhibit displays animals from Madagascar, most of which can be found only in Madagascar because they developed in isolation on one of the largest islands in the world.
The Local Tails exhibit showcases animals that are native to Bermuda, or have been introduced into the island. It includes a 95 gallon tabletop tank where visitors can touch the animals.
, Matschie's Tree Kangaroo, Oriental Small-clawed Otter
, Ring-tailed Lemur
. In addition, it is in the Population management program for a number of other species: Galapagos Tortoise
, Haitian Slider
, Harbor seal
, Parma Wallaby
, Prevost's Squirrel, Red-necked Wallaby
, Roseate spoonbill
, Scarlet Ibis
.
In addition to the new animal care pavilion, the capital campaign will provide money to increase the existing Education Endowment, create a Conservation Endowment, renovate the front entrance, and improve visitor flow.
Outside the capital fund drive, the Bermuda government has pledged an additional $700,000 for general exhibit updates.
Support for the institution comes mainly from the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) and the Atlantic Conservation Partnership (ACP), both of which are supported primarily by donations and memberships.
The zoo has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums was founded in 1924 and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.The AZA headquarters is located in Silver...
(AZA) since 1993, and participates in four Species Survival Plans (SSP) as of 2009.
History
From its opening in 1926 until 1978, BAMZ was supported solely by the Bermuda government. In 1978, the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) was formed with the specific goal of supporting BAMZ. As of 2009, the BZS has a membership including 15% of the island's residents, as well as corporate sponsors. The Bermuda government provides support for the operational needs of the zoo, while the BZS supports ongoing development and the educational and research programs, and organizes special events and exhibits.In 1991 and 1992, a major capital campaign raised $3 million for the construction of the North Rock Exhibit, the Australasia Exhibit, and the Caribbean Exhibit. The Bermuda government matched this funding to create new seawater reservoirs, infrastructure, and a new Education/Administration building.
The Atlantic Conservation Partnership (ACP), a U.S. 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, was formed in 1994. ACP is a member and donor supported organization with the goal of furthering knowledge and conservation of island environments, and is now one of the two major support organizations for BAMZ.
In 1997 and 1998 the BZS raised enough money to endow a full-time Education Officer.
Bermudian naturalist Louis L. Mowbray
Louis L. Mowbray
Louis Leon Arthur Mowbray was a Bermudian naturalist.-Life:Mowbray was the only son of schoolteacher William Mowbray and his wife Mary Ann Brown. His father emigrated from Luisiana to Bermuda Island in 1870...
was director of that aquarium from 1928 to 1944. He was succeeded by his son Louis in 1944.
Exhibits and other facilities
The Aquarium is just inside the main entrance building, and contains over 200 species of fish and invertebrates in many naturalistic displays. The largest display is the 140,000 gallon North Rock Exhibit, which is a living replica of North Rock. The real North Rock is part of the Rim Reef system, the Northern-most chain of coral reefs in the world.The Natural History Museum traces the geological formation and ecological development of the island, highlighting the island's role in the migration of many species of birds and marine animals.
Harbor Seal
Harbor Seal
The harbor seal , also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere...
s and Green Sea Turtle
Green Sea Turtle
The Green sea turtle or green turtle is a large sea turtle of the family Cheloniidae. It is the only species in the genus Chelonia. Its range extends throughout tropical and subtropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans...
s are housed in outdoor exhibits to the right and left of the main entrance.
The South American Aviary is one of the oldest exhibits in the facility. Visitors can walk through the aviary to see many exotic bird species native to the tropics.
The Caribbean Pink Flamingos exhibit shows Flamingos in a natural outdoor lake setting.
The Islands of the Caribbean exhibit showcases animals from the Caribbean islands, and is a large flight cage in which the animals are allowed to roam free. Visitors are confined to a path, but will get to see the animals close up and in their natural habitat.
The Islands of Australasia exhibit is a large indoor exhibit that showcases animals from Australia and Asia.
The Friends of Madagascar exhibit displays animals from Madagascar, most of which can be found only in Madagascar because they developed in isolation on one of the largest islands in the world.
The Local Tails exhibit showcases animals that are native to Bermuda, or have been introduced into the island. It includes a 95 gallon tabletop tank where visitors can touch the animals.
Conservation
The facility participates in four Species Survival Plans (SSP) as of 2009: Golden Lion TamarinGolden Lion Tamarin
The golden lion tamarin also known as the golden marmoset, is a small New World monkey of the family Callitrichidae...
, Matschie's Tree Kangaroo, Oriental Small-clawed Otter
Oriental Small-clawed Otter
The oriental small-clawed otter , also known as Asian small-clawed otter, is the smallest otter species in the world, weighing less than 5 kg. It lives in mangrove swamps and freshwater wetlands of Bangladesh, Burma, India, southern China, Taiwan, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines,...
, Ring-tailed Lemur
Ring-tailed Lemur
The ring-tailed lemur is a large strepsirrhine primate and the most recognized lemur due to its long, black and white ringed tail. It belongs to Lemuridae, one of five lemur families. It is the only member of the Lemur genus. Like all lemurs it is endemic to the island of Madagascar...
. In addition, it is in the Population management program for a number of other species: Galapagos Tortoise
Galápagos tortoise
The Galápagos tortoise or Galápagos giant tortoise is the largest living species of tortoise, reaching weights of over and lengths of over . With life spans in the wild of over 100 years, it is one of the longest-lived vertebrates...
, Haitian Slider
Haitian Slider
The Hispaniolan slider or Haitian slider is a species of turtle in the Emydidae family.It is found in the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. The Hispaniolan slider is a fresh water turtle and is a non U.S Native. They can live on land and water, but prefer to be near freshwater...
, Harbor seal
Harbor Seal
The harbor seal , also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere...
, Parma Wallaby
Parma Wallaby
The Parma Wallaby was first described by British naturalist John Gould in about 1840. A shy, cryptic creature of the wet sclerophyll forests of southern New South Wales, it was never common and, even before the end of the 19th century, it was believed to be extinct...
, Prevost's Squirrel, Red-necked Wallaby
Red-necked Wallaby
The Red-necked Wallaby is a medium-sized marsupial macropod, common in the more temperate and fertile parts of eastern Australia, including Tasmania.- Description :...
, Roseate spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbill
The Roseate Spoonbill, Platalea ajaja, is a gregarious wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family, Threskiornithidae...
, Scarlet Ibis
Scarlet Ibis
The Scarlet Ibis is a species of ibis that inhabits tropical South America and also Trinidad and Tobago. It is the national bird of Trinidad and is featured on the Trinidad and Tobago coat of arms along with Tobago's national bird, the Rufous-vented Chachalaca.-Taxonomy:This species is very...
.
The future
The institution's second multi-year capital campaign was launched in 2005, with its largest project being a $2.7 million state-of-the-art animal care pavilion. As of 2009, $6.7 million had been donated by individuals, corporations, and organizations (towards a goal of $8.0 million), and the Bermuda government has pledged an additionl $2.136 million. The animal care pavilion will be at the center of the zoo next to a new exhibit about the Island of Madagascar.In addition to the new animal care pavilion, the capital campaign will provide money to increase the existing Education Endowment, create a Conservation Endowment, renovate the front entrance, and improve visitor flow.
Outside the capital fund drive, the Bermuda government has pledged an additional $700,000 for general exhibit updates.