Recent News

Sea turtle tangled in fishing line rescued
Friday, July 25, 2014

Efforts to protect Bermuda’s sea turtles have suffered another blow.


Bermuda Reef Life HD App Free For Android
Thursday, July 17, 2014

Fans of all things under the sea now have a new way of exploring the mysteries and wonders of Bermuda’s unique marine life as the Bermuda Zoological Society’s Bermuda Reef Life HD app is now available free for Android users


Chatterbox Preschool’s Art Auction To Aid BZS
Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Students at Chatterbox Preschool have recently been making waves in the art world, thanks to their recent studies about the ocean.


Blue Marlin donated for study
Monday, July 14, 2014

Blue Marlin donated by the Billfish Tournament to the Ocean Vet team for research was hoisted for delivery to the Spanish Point Boat Club on July 11, with the 573 pound fish requiring a team of workers and several pieces of equipment to get it loaded and moved.


Minister Reports On State Of Bermuda Coral
Friday, July 11, 2014

In the House of Assembly today [July 11], Minister of Health, Seniors and Environment Jeanne Atherden delivered a report on the state of health of the coral reefs found in Bermuda’s waters and the Caribbean, citing the report by the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network [GCRMN] released last week.



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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!

Quick-thinking pair save stricken turtle
Royal Gazette
Wednesday, May 27, 2015

By Simon Jones
Published May 27, 2015 at 8:00 am (Updated May 27, 2015 at 3:21 pm)

RG_150527_1a.jpeg
The hawksbill sea turtle at the aquarium (Photo by Akil Simmons)?

Animal welfare experts have praised the kind-hearted actions of members of the public that helped to save the life of a hawksbill turtle that swallowed a hook and fishing line.

Chuck Waldron and his uncle, Keith Richardson, had been fishing off the dock at the Black Horse Tavern in St David’s when the turtle got caught on the line. The pair quickly brought the animal on to the dock on Friday afternoon and immediately called the aquarium for help.

While they waited for the experts to arrive, they tended to the stricken turtle by pouring buckets of water over its shell to keep it cool.

RG_150527_1b.jpeg
Ian Walker, the principal curator for the aquarium, with the hawksbill sea turtle
(Photo by Akil Simmons)?

Aquarium curator Ian Walker arrived at the dock soon after along with students Alison Palmer and Nikki Cummings, from the Flagler College in St Augustine, Florida, who were on a college exchange. They transported the hawksbill back to the aquarium, where it was sedated and Dr Walker removed the line and hook.

“The hook had gone more than 17cm down the turtle’s throat, so if it had remained there, it could very well have resulted in the animal’s death,” Dr Walker said. “Fortunately we were able to remove the hook without needing to open the turtle up.

“It has made a great recovery and we hope to be able to release it later in the week.”

Tags on the mature adult hawksbill’s flipper show that it originated in Brazil and must have swam to Bermuda on its migration path from South America.

Dr Walker praised the quick-thinking actions of Mr Waldron and Mr Richardson.

RG_150527_1c.jpeg
Ian Walker, left, Keith Richardson and Chuck Waldron with
the hawksbill sea turtle (Photo by Akil Simmons)?

“These guys took time out of their day and showed genuine concern for this animal,” he said. “They wanted to make sure that the turtle was OK and did the right thing by calling us straight away. This enabled us to get the turtle into the operating room and remove the hook and line. Some people might have just put the turtle back in the water, in which case there could have been some very serious consequences for the animal.

“It’s a timely reminder, especially as more people take to the water this summer, that these animals are around our shores and we need to pay attention to the signs and the speed limits that are there to protect them.”

Mr Waldron told The Royal Gazette: “We all know that turtles are endangered animals in Bermuda and we did not want to just throw him back in. We’re pleased we were able to help and that the turtle is going to be OK. I would encourage anyone in a similar situation to just call the aquarium. It really does not take much to act.”

• If anyone comes across a stricken turtle or other marine animal they can call the aquarium on 293-2727.