Bermuda zoo animals won?t have to go through the stress of being carted off to the veterinarians office anymore, thanks in part, to a $1.1 million pledge from Government to build a new animal hospital at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo.

The pledge was announced yesterday at a Press conference at the aquarium in Flatts.

The new animal hospital will cost $1.7 million.

?The Bermuda Government is pleased to lead this phase with the construction of a much-needed animal-care facility,? Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield said. ?As the Minister of the Environment I am increasingly impressed with the range of services provided and the high calibre of committed volunteers and staff that deliver these services here at BAMZ. It is truly remarkable how this facility continues to evolve and improve without losing its essential warmth and welcoming Bermuda charm.?

The hospital will be constructed at the centre of the zoo, alongside a new Madagascar exhibit. The hospital will have an all-purpose diagnostic and treatment room, a recovery room, and quarantine facilities for the zoo?s animals. Diagnostic equipment will include digital radiography, ultrasound, video endoscopy and complete blood examination analysers. The facility will allow for preventive medical examinations, including vaccinations, blood tests and dental checks.

Head zookeeper Zoey Roberts said the modern zoo has responsibilities beyond their own animals.

?The modern zoo has responsibilities not only to the animals in our immediate collection, but to populations as a whole ? those in other zoos and those animals in their native habitats,? she said.

?A big part of this responsibility is preventative medicine and recovery. BAMZ actively participates in five Species Survival Plans (SSP) and two Taxon Advisory Groups (TAG). We are currently breeding two endangered species and holding many others.

?The American Zoo and Aquarium Association require accredited facilities? full participation in these programmes. The SSPs and TAGs are continually conducting research on endangered or threatened species, and often need tissue or blood samples supplied by partnering institutions.?

She said the current lack of an on site animal hospital limited the ability to participate in global research projects. She also said the current arrangement of taking animals out of the zoo to a veterinarian?s office is stressful for the animals.

?This is a costly venture and it makes an already stressful event that much worse for the animal,? she said.

?First, they have to be captured, either by hand, net or a trap. Then they are placed in a crate and driven to Endsmeet Animal Hospital where the required procedures are carried out.?

She said although the staff at Endsmeet are wonderful, ultimately they are set up for domestic animals, not exotic animals which have different needs.

The hospital is part of a two-year $6.6 million campaign that will fund continuing education and conservation initiatives and enhance the facility.

Campaign chairman Rick Mello thanked the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, Allied World Assurance Co. Ltd., William Loschert and Government for their contributions.

?This organisation is truly a community asset that needs to be constantly maintained, refreshed and improved,? Mr. Mello said.

Curator and zoo veterinarian Dr. Ian Walker will head up the new hospital.

?Our new Madagascar exhibit will front the new animal care facility,? he said. ?I am excited about this. It will be absolutely fantastic. In the Madagascar exhibit we will be highlighting one of the largest islands in the world. It has a tremendous amount of species. They also have an interesting conservation method. The island itself is in a lot of trouble.?

Groundbreaking for the project is scheduled for May 18 and construction will probably be completed in 2006.