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Aquarium welcomes two feathered friendsWednesday, April 22, 2015
The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo is celebrating the arrival of two new feathered additions to the animal population.
Aquarium revamp set for mid-June finish
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
A major renovation of the aquarium is expected to be completely finished by mid-June. It had initially been hoped that the aquarium would be open to the public again by the end of this month.
Kate takes the plunge at Deep Sea World
Friday, April 10, 2015
When Bermudian Kate Cooper settles down to her new job training seal pups and diving in the tanks at Scotland’s Deep Sea World, she will have her early start in Bermuda’s own aquarium to thank for the opportunity.
Cancer survivor’s view beneath the waves
Wednesday, April 08, 2015
Ron Lucas was scuba diving 12 days after he completed treatment for his prostate cancer.
Deep sea squid found off The Reefs
Saturday, March 28, 2015
A squid carcass several feet long that washed up at a beach in Southampton looked so alive that diver Choy Aming had to check to make sure.
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All the latest updates and news from the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, one of Bermuda's leading visitor attractions!
By Sarah Lagan
Published Nov 16, 2014 at 1:25 pm (Updated Nov 17, 2014 at 12:06 am)
Dr Neil Burnie's funeral at Western Blue Cut (Photo by Sarah Lagan)
Dr Neil Burnie has been laid to rest, with his body placed in the water 600 fathoms deep at Western Blue Cut yesterday afternoon.
More than 100 boats gathered too see the much loved veterinarian and ocean activist “return to the sea”.
A plane circled the sea burial, dropping streams of flowers into the water as mourners threw wreaths and bouquets of flowers overboard.
The Burnie funeral procession to Dockyard (Photo by Sarah Lagan)
Boat horns sounded in celebration of his life and his friends from the Ocean Vet team hurled his trusted harmonica into the sea to great applause.
Taking off from Albuoys Point just after 10am, the procession made its way to Grays Bridge for a ceremony. Opening with bagpipes by Davey Armstrong, Dr Burnie’s brother, Jonathan, took to the microphone aboard The Explorer where the coffin lay.
Burnie’s boat with shark logo and Ocean Vet team (Photo by Sarah Lagan)
He described their family life and Dr Burnie’s love of animals from a very early age, leading him into a prestigious career as a veterinarian. He described his brother as a master fisherman, a musician, an actor, doctor and motorbike enthusiast. “That’s where his need for speed came from,” he said.
Dr Burnie’s son, Oscar Deuss, spoke of Neil as “a father, role model, mentor, best friend and my hero”.
He said the time they spent filming the Ocean Vet series with Dr Burnie at the helm was the one of the best experiences of his life.
Graham Pewter, a band member with Bones, for whom Dr Burnie sang and played saxophone, recalled how Dr Burnie once told him he was difficult to live with. But Mr Pewter said: “It will be more difficult to live without him.”
He described Dr Burnie’s best characteristics. “He was brutally honest, fearless, demanding, abrasive, an irresistible force,” he said. “Bye bye, my blues brother.”
Dr Burnie’s sister, Judith Sweetman, was officiating for her brother and recalled his mischievous nature and love of nature.
The procession made its way to Western Blue Cut, a favourite snorkel spot for the family, then a plane flew overhead and rained down flowers on the burial site.
Dr Neil Burnie leaves his wife Katrin, children Oscar and Kim and siblings Jonathan and Judith.