Recent News
Colourful Madagascar reptiles hatch in BermudaThursday, May 22, 2014
Two newly-born colourful lizards that are a threatened species due to the reptile trade are settling into their new home at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ).
Bermudian to play a role in ocean plastics research mission
Monday, May 19, 2014
Marine research crews aboard the Sea Dragon, a 72ft expedition ship, departed Bermuda on Saturday for an eight-day voyage into the Sargasso Sea hoping to learn more about how plastics are distributed throughout ocean depths.
No evidence pesticides are killing Island’s toads
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Vehicle emissions and other pollutants are partly to blame for falling amphibian numbers in Bermuda, according to an expert.
Reefs in fairly good condition, but report highlights some concerns
Monday, May 12, 2014
Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) has officially presented its 2013 Reef Watch report to Government, containing data recently gathered on the health of the Island’s reefs.
BZS Reef Watch Report Presented To Ministers
Thursday, May 08, 2014
The Bermuda Zoological Society has officially presented the 2013 Reef Watch Report to Trevor Moniz, Minister for Health & Environment and Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, Minister of Public Works.
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All the latest updates and news from the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, one of Bermuda's leading visitor attractions!
Jennifer Gray, Bermuda Director, Bermuda Turtle Project
Are you an early riser? Do you like to walk beaches?
Be a part of our Citizen Science Volunteer Programme... take a walk and report sea turtle nesting events.
In 1870 Bermuda's Attorney General declared that there was no nesting of sea turtles in Bermuda giving us an approximate time reference for the local extinction of our nesting green turtles.
Sea turtle nesting events in Bermuda; of 1990 (Loggerhead), 2005 (Loggerhead) and 2015 (Green) give us a glimmer of hope for the future and suggest a possibility that sea turtles are nesting sporadically hidden from human eyes. All three of these nests were discovered fortuitously by observant members of our community and we encourage everyone to be aware of the tell-tale signs of sea turtle nesting and report any events to the Bermuda Turtle Project.
Historic records suggest that sea turtles in Bermuda nested between late April through June and certainly June, July and August would provide the optimal sand temperature for a sixty- day incubation period of eggs.
To identify the tracks (crawls) of a nesting sea turtle observations should be made early in the morning when they are fresh and unaltered by wind and rain. Whenever possible photographic records should be obtained. The tracks of a nesting sea turtle should emerge from the high tide mark and lead to a disturbed area of sand at the back of a beach with another track returning to the sea. Loggerhead tracks are approximately three feet wide while Green Turtle tracks are typically four feet wide.
Photos: Sea Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
Hatchlings emerging from a nest may not leave clear tracks depending on the type of sand and wind conditions but when they do many small tracks from the nest to the sea may be observed. These should not be confused with the tracks of a hermit crab. If there are bright lights the vicinity of the beach hatchlings may become disoriented and have trouble finding the ocean.
Tracks from disoriented hatchlings.
Their tracks should lead straight to the sea. Hermit Crab tracks
Photo: Sea Turtle Conservancy
Help us understand the status of sea turtle nesting by reporting any tracks or nesting events to the Bermuda Turtle Project by calling (441) 332-2966.