Nassau, Bahamas - Born of collaboration between the government and private sector animal welfare non-government organizations (NGOs), Operation Potcake was officially launched today. 

The spay and neuter programme seeks to improve the lot of the country's many stray and owned animals, and reverse their sometimes behaviour-related negative effects on neighbourhood residents and tourists. The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources is supporting The Bahamas Humane Society (BHS), The Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights...

AZA GRANTS ACCREDITATION TO ATLANTIS, PARADISE ISLAND

Silver Spring, Maryland – The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) today announced that Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in The Bahamas was granted accreditation by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission. Atlantis Resort was first accredited and publicly recognized for its high standard of animal care on March 27, 2007.

“Atlantis Resort has demonstrated its leadership within the zoo and aquarium community by meeting high Association of Zoos and Aquariums Accreditation Standards,” said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy. “Only the finest institutions in the world rise to this level, and we congratulate the professionals at Atlantis for their hard work.”

To be accredited, Atlantis underwent a thorough review to ensure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years in order to be members of the Association.

“Atlantis is an ideal place for people to get in touch with nature,” Maddy added. “Like all Members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Atlantis supports its community by providing affordable family recreation and science-based education programs that inspire.”

The accreditation process includes a detailed application and a meticulous on-site inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals. The inspecting team observes all aspects of the institution’s operation in areas such as animal care; keeper training; safety for visitors, staff, and animals; educational programs; conservation efforts; veterinary programs; financial stability; risk management; visitor services; and other areas. Finally, top officials are interviewed at a formal hearing of AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission, after which accreditation is granted, tabled, or denied. Any institution that is denied may reapply one year after the Commission’s decision is made.

Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting an institution dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, please visit www.aza.org.

Some people help the sun shine, some people help the world turn on it's axis, some people give us a reason to believe in the future of the world and give us hope for tomorrow...the people who helped Rosie

in her epic journey are certainly special people who make the world spin in harmony. Some people help the sun shine, some people help the world turn on it's axis, some people give us a reason to believe in the future of the world and give us hope for tomorrow...the people who helped Rosie in her epic journey are certainly special people who make the world spin in harmony.

Most certainly, the stars were all aligned for Rosie, in Eleuthera, that day in January, when her "owner" decided that he no longer wanted this pathetic bag of bones, and he sent her to the spay and neuter clinic with instructions that she be killed...

The Animal Fun Day was a great success with almost 600 people coming through the gate. Thanks to the cooler weather, there were also a large number of dogs in attendance, many of whom enjoyed participating in the various ring classes. We raised over $7,000 through the course of the day.

Thank you to Pedigree, who regularly sponsors this event, to Rotaract and the many other volunteers, to the students of Tambearly School, Ridgeland Primary, and Mabel Walker School who entertained us with skits, to the donors of raffle prizes (Mosaic Atlantis, Windermere, Super Value, Sammy T's, Bahamas Ferries, Fernandez Bay Village, Kamalame Cay, Chives, Cocodimama, Buy the Book, and more) and to the bakers of goods. We'd appreciate your feedback on keeping the day as a Sunday. Check out some photos here! click