Recent News
End-to-End names charities to benefit from 2023 eventSaturday, February 18, 2023
Five charities will benefit from money raised at this year’s Convex End-to-End, it was announced today.
Funds raised will go to the Bermuda Zoological Society’s Microforest Project, Gina Spence Productions, the Eliza DoLittle Society, the Skills Development Programme and Vision Bermuda.
Juvenile Seal Rescued From Clearwater Beach
Saturday, February 18, 2023
A seal was seen at Clearwater Beach today [Feb 18] and it returned to the ocean before BAMZ staff could arrive to provide assistance, and they noted that a “seal in Bermuda is in distress” so have advised that anyone sees the seal please keep your distance and contact the BAMZ Animal hotline at 293-2727.
BZS Lionfish Chowder Competition
Saturday, February 18, 2023
The Bermuda Zoological Society [BZS] held an Eat’Um to Beat’Um Lionfish Chowder Competition event this afternoon [Feb 18] at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo [BAMZ], with crowds of people coming out to taste the various chowders.
Micro forests take root across the island
Thursday, January 19, 2023
An effort to establish a series of “micro forests” across the island has established ten thriving plots, according to the Bermuda Zoological Society.
Successful First Year of Micro Forest Project
Thursday, January 19, 2023
The Bermuda Zoological Society [BZS] has highlighted the BZS Micro Forest Project, which has an aim to plant 1,500 native-compatible and endemic plants each year for three years.
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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!
By Cooper Stevenson
Published Jun 23, 2014 at 8:00 am
Protecting turtles: A petition calling for the creation of a turtle sanctuary
zone in the waters off Somerset Long Bay has attracted almost 500 signatures?
A petition calling for Somerset Long Bay in Sandys to be made into a turtle sanctuary has attracted more than 450 signatures.
Directed at the newly installed Minister for the Environment, Jeanne Atherden, the petition is now just 30 signatures short of its target of 500.
But more signatures are still needed, said Sandys resident Grace Markham. She began the petition alongside Cambridge Beaches Resort beach manager, Luke Fountain, after seeing a dead turtle apparently killed by a passing jet ski.
“Since the article came out last time, I’ve had another dead turtle in front of my cabana, which I delivered to the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo so they can figure out what happened to the poor thing,” she said.
“I’ve found a lot of people being very supportive of the cause — people I didn’t expect to worry about marine life. It’s good. I’m glad people are realising it’s up to us to protect these animals in their natural habitat. It’s the least we can do considering the amount of sea life that dies due to humans.”
The sanctuary proposed in the petition would include a no-wake zone extended to the boundaries of the seagrass meadow in the area, which stretches beyond the normal 100 metres from shore no-wake zone, and more signs warning of the presence of turtles in the area.
Jennifer Gray, coordinator for the Bermuda Turtle Project, has signed the petition. In a post on the website she said the sanctuary would be “perfect” . “These animals come to Bermuda at a very young age and will spend up to 20 years growing up in these lush pastures,” she wrote.
“They will stay in the same specific feeding grounds for most of those years before leaving Bermuda to mature elsewhere. Somerset Long Bay is a perfect place to create a marine protected area and restrict motor boats of all kinds.
“We could then have a haven for sea turtles and an amazing place to kayak and paddle board in the midst of these wonderful creatures. Visitors and locals alike would love such an eco-experience. There are certainly other areas worthy of protection too.”
For more information or to sign the petition, visit facebook.com/longbayturtles.