give Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo a $5 million-plus makeover.

The plan, unveiled yesterday by aquarium officials, is designed to bring Bermuda's top tourist attraction into line with the world's most advanced collections.

The jewel of the plan is the North Rock exhibit - a walk-in "underwater'' display containing living local coral, washed by artificial waves.

Based on the environment at North Rock, Bermuda's northernmost section of reef, the $1.25 million exhibit will mimic the experience of diving or snorkelling.

Using technology never seen in public before, it will house reef and open ocean fish, including sharks, and feature "interactive'' displays operated by viewers.

Work on the exhibit is due to start on November 23, and is expected to last a year.

Other highlights of the five-year plan include: A penguin tank showing the birds "flying'' underwater; A bigger monkey collection, including gibbons and macaques; An exhibit on other islands, including Australian, Indonesian and Caribbean creatures; A Bermudian wildlife area, which could one day be colonised by longtails; A walk-through "flight-cage'' with South American birds; A revamped otter enclosure, with snakes.

Government has pledged to give $2.3 million towards the cost, which means $2.8 million must be raised by the Bermuda Zoological Society, the charity that supports the aquarium.

Yesterday, fund-raising campaign chairman Mr. Tom Conyers said the society was getting an encouraging response from top companies.

But it was hoping a million dollars would come from "the community at large''.

The emphasis worldwide was on interactive displays showing creatures in natural settings, he said. "We can't all visit North Rock so we want to build a living replica right here.'' Aquarium workers also wanted to feature animals and habitats from other islands, and revamp existing exhibits. They wanted the attraction to be a place for children to learn to appreciate nature and how to preserve it.

"We need the assistance of the community in raising another million dollars in order to meet our goal,'' Mr. Conyers said.

He and his wife had already made a personal contribution. "We think of it as an investment in the education of Bermuda's children.'' Society president Mr. Jack Lightbourn said: "We want to be sure we have an ongoing collection of first class exhibits, for the benefit of our children, for the members of our community and of course our visitors.'' Principal curator Mr. Richard Winchell added the aim of the improvements was to give animals the best possible care, while making the attraction as exciting as possible for visitors.