Recent News
Michael Douglas To Narrate “Ocean Vet” SeriesMonday, December 22, 2014
Movie star Michael Douglas has agreed to work with Gass Productions and Ocean Vet to narrate the series on behalf of Dr. Neil Burnie, the producers revealed today.
2014 Reef Watch Report Presented To Minister
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
The 2014 Reef Watch Report was formally presented to Minister for Health, Seniors and Environment Jeanne Atherden and the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary,Kevin Monkman, today [Dec 17].
BZS Names Their 2014 Volunteers Of The Year
Thursday, December 11, 2014
The Bermuda Zoological Society [BZS] announced that Darlene Fortin and Marcus Bassett are their 2014 Volunteer of the Year recipients, with the two volunteers contributing over 400 hours to our organization.
Plan to protect turtles unveiled
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Efforts to conserve resident populations of green and hawksbill turtles have been announced.
BZS educating students about ‘magnificent marine environment’
Thursday, December 04, 2014
Famed marine biologist, explorer and conservationist, Dr Sylvia Earle once said: “With every drop of water you drink, every breath you take, you’re connected to the sea, no matter where on earth you live.”
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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.