May 13, 2012Dear Sir,My husband and I recently visited Bermuda for the fourth time over the past 15 years. We visited the Botanical Gardens only to find the condition of the Gardens in a state of disrepair and neglect. In particular, we were there on a Saturday and went to view the Aviary as part of our visit. There we found only two cages with birds, one with ducks including seven very tiny chicks and the other with ducks and peacocks. None of the cages had any food or water available to these birds. It was a Saturday and the Gardens advertise that they are open. However, we found nobody around, and all the doors we tried were locked.On the Monday after that Saturday visit, I called the Bermuda Parks Department and was given the names of the Curator of the Botanical Gardens, Neville Richardson, and the Director of Parks Department, Lisa Johnson. Ms Johnson was unavailable at the time I called, so I called Mr Richardson and had to leave a message on his answering machine. That message expressed my deep concern for the welfare of the birds and I stated such in no uncertain terms.On Tuesday, my husband and I again visited the Aviary and found that the birds had been fed and did have drinking water at the least. I have never seen ducks, caged, without water for swimming as well! Along with the sad status of those neglected birds, the Gardens themselves were in a sorry state. Signs indicating the names and types of flowers, trees, bushes, etc, were either non-existent or broken and lying in the dirt ... In my estimate, the Botanical Gardens should be moved from a “do not miss” Bermuda attraction to a “do not bother” status. I feel it is a disgrace that a visiting tourist from Vermont, USA (or anywhere) is so concerned about the condition of the Gardens, especially the birds, that I feel it my duty to bring this issue to the Bermudan people.If I were a resident of Bermuda, I would ask the following questions: Who is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Gardens? Why are they not doing their job? What can I, as a resident of this tourist island, do about making changes? I include my name and e-mail address so one may contact me if one wishes.DOROTHY WILLIAMSWhite River Junction, –Vermont