Animal Care Centre: Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo

Courtesy of Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS)

One of the most exciting new projects made possible by the Bermuda Zoological Society's recent $8-million capital campaign is a state-of-the-art animal care centre. The 3,600-square-foot Bank of Bermuda Animal Care Centre, taking shape in 2008 at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo in Flatts, includes a veterinary hospital, a dedicated quarantine facility and a zoo husbandry office and nutrition centre. All are key to the growth of the highly popular attraction, which is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Being able to provide on-site veterinary care to its animals is a big plus for the facility, home to hundreds of fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. "The fact there is a purpose-built hospital right here on our site means animals won't have to be transported off the BAMZ facility, and it will be easier to schedule their care on our own timeframe," says Dr. Ian Walker, a veterinarian and curator of the aquarium and zoo.

"In time, we hope to organise specialised tours of the hospital," says Dr. Walker, "so that visitors can get a real sense of how an aquarium and zoo operates behind the scenes, how we care for different species — and an appreciation for the fact that animals have to visit their doctors regularly just like people do."

The hospital is among a slate of exciting new developments jointly funded by the Bermuda Government and the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS), whose mission is "to inspire appreciation and care of island environments." The facelift will include a fascinating new exhibit scheduled to open in 2009 about the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar — part of the Aquarium & Zoo's strong focus on island ecosystems, including Australasia, the Caribbean and Bermuda's own coral reefs. The Madagascar showcase will take visitors on a tour of the critically threatened island, home to diverse and unique creatures such as exotic fossa, hissing cockroaches, ring-tailed lemurs, radiated tortoises, ground and tree boas, and panther chameleons. Notably, the exhibit will relate the African island's economy to Bermuda's own through the story of a typical Madagascan family, and tell visitors how they can make a difference for nations facing economic and environmental challenges. Also in the plans slated for the Aquarium & Zoo in the near future: a renovated front entrance with a visitor orientation area, an expanded gift shop and a new cafe with views of Harrington Sound. A much-needed outreach vessel, the 45-foot Endurance, was built for BZS in 2008 and brought to Bermuda to facilitate its important education, research and marine conservation programmes.

For more information, call the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo at 293-2727 or visit www.bamz.org.

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