of the world opens in Bermuda.

Because the new Australasia Exhibit is due to open on May 2 -- although officials at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo say it is still a tentative date.

"Our scheduled opening is May 2,'' said Aquarium curator Jack Ward. "It will be a challenge to make it, but that is the plan.

"It could be a phased opening or one with tour guides. Our biggest concern is making sure all the animals are settled down properly.'' The exhibit was due to open last month but was delayed due to a series of small problems. Now the exhibit is almost complete -- except the animals have yet to arrive.

"We got into more than we fully anticipated,'' added Mr. Ward. "The rock is just being completed and the planting finished. Internal holding cages have to be installed, then it is bringing in the animals.'' Animals from Australia, New Guinea, Borneo and Malaysia are due to arrive this month and will include Asian Fruit Bats, Mousedeer and Asian Otters.

Mr. Ward said: "You cannot put animals of different species in one area and expect everything to work.

"There are still some issues to be resolved and we are still working out the finer details of the opening -- whether it will be controlled access or with tour guides, because the animals have to settle.

"The next few weeks are going to be hectic. There is a lot of physical work and then a lot of preparation before the opening.'' The new exhibit is designed as a `free-range immersion exhibit' where the visitor will walk through the area through glass tunnels.

Some animals will roam free within the exhibit, but others will be contained behind glass or moving water.

With natural light and rockscapes, waterfalls and native plants the whole area, which has been funded through the Campaign for the Bermuda Aquarium, is designed to reflect the animals' natural habitats. The exhibit will also give information about Island species, their evolution and threats to their survival.