Recent News
Series celebrating marine life completedTuesday, March 22, 2016
The Ocean Vet series that has been three-and-a-half-years in the making and will highlight Bermuda’s natural treasures to millions globally is finally complete.
Career fuelled by passion for wildlife
Monday, March 07, 2016
Nesta Wellman’s passion for conservation and wildlife runs deep in his veins.
Lemur visits dentist for tooth troubles
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Saturday was not a typical day at the office for dentist Len Wedlich.
Daisy blossoming, thanks to surgery
Saturday, February 20, 2016
A loggerhead turtle that underwent life-saving surgery to remove a rusting hook that had became embedded in her throat has started to eat for herself.
BZS Lecture: “Ecology Of The Sargasso Sea”
Saturday, February 20, 2016
Dr. Robbie Smith, the Curator of the Bermuda Natural History Museum at BAMZ, will be presenting a lecture on the “Ecology of the Sargasso Sea” on Wednesday, February 24th at 7.00pm.
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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!
An entire flotilla of boats departed Albuoy’s Point on Sunday morning [Nov 16] as people from around the island made their way out onto the water in order to bid farewell to “Ocean Vet” Dr. Neil Burnie, who was buried at sea.
The well-known veterinarian died following a marine accident on November 11, after getting into difficulty while free diving to recover lobster traps lost during the recent storms.
The family invited everyone to join in the burial service for Dr. Burnie, and the community responded en masse, with what has been estimated to be over 100 boats making their way out to sea to say their final farewell to the local icon.
Click here to see the video.
Dr. Burnie’s body was carried onto the Explorer at Albouy’s Point, after which the flotilla set off to Western Blue Cut.
A service was held on the water, with Dr. Burnie’s sister Judith Sweetman, an ordained Minister, officiating, while Dr. Burnie’s brother Jonathan Burnie also spoke, eulogising his brother.
Dr. Burnie was laid to rest while Davey Armstrong played the bagpipes and Oscar Deuss played the saxophone, with flowers strewn across the water by many in attendance
Some people jumped in the water as Dr. Burnie was laid to rest, with some attendees even free diving down in the ocean to follow him on his final journey. Horns and whistles were heard across the water, and a small plane joined the ceremony by flying overhead.
The funeral programme quoted a song that Dr. Burnie wrote, saying, “The whales and sharks of the ocean, they seem to call to me, though my body is here on dry land, my soul is deep in the sea,” helping to provide a fitting end for a man who dedicated his life to the ocean and the life within it.