BAMZ: Zoo
Though not exactly one of the world’s largest zoos, it does nevertheless contain some interesting exhibits:
Islands of the Caribbean
Opened in 2002, this is the zoo’s latest exhibit. It aims to show how wildlife has migrated from the Caribbean and South America to Bermuda. The exhibit consists of a wire mesh cage measuring 27 feet in height and 6,400 square feet in area. A walkway leads through the cage and allows visitors to interact as closely as possible with the creatures inside. They include the scarlet ibis, rosette spoonbill, Cayman blue iguana, Brazilian acouchi and golden lion tamarin.
Islands of Australasia
At this exhibit, constructed in 1997, you will come up close and personal with many endemic Australasian and Asian species. These include wallabies, tree kangaroos, bats and tree shrews.
Local Tails and Discovery Room
Kids love it here and are offered the chance to interact with nature. There’s a touch pool with molluscs, sponges and small lobsters, a table-top tank full of corals and juvenile fish, a glass-enclosed bee hive plus plenty of other interactive features. On Fridays (11:15 – 11:45) it’s story time for children aged 2 – 4. Activities include stories, songs and guest appearances by animals. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
A reptile exhibit features Oscar the alligator. A member of staff assured us he was alive but we saw no signs of movement. There are also several Galapagos tortoises and Haitian slider turtles. An aviary houses birds from South America such as macaws and parrots.
The BAMZ is also home to a large flock of Caribbean flamingos. One of them escaped in 1987 during Hurricane Emily, lived at Spittal Pond Nature Reserve until being recaptured in 2001, before going on the run again during Hurricane Fabian in 2003. The BAMZ also has a coastal walkway with spectacular views of Harrington Sound.