Trunk Island, Bermuda
 | |
  Trunk Island, Harrington Sound, Bermuda | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Harrington Sound, Bermuda |
| Coordinates | 32°20′00″N 64°43′38″W / 32.3334°N 64.7272°W |
| Archipelago | Bermuda |
| Area | 0.028 km2 (0.011 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Parish | Hamilton Parish |
Trunk Island is the largest island in Harrington Sound, Bermuda.[1] Its area is 7 acres (0.028 km2), and it was used for tobacco farming and lumber in the 17th century.[2] A survey of 1663 by Norwood describes Harington [sic] Sound as the Little Sound, and he speaks of "the greater of ye Islands in the Little Sound called Trunk Island in the occupation of John Roberts."[3] Whilst some of the other smaller islands have changed names over the years, Trunk Island has always been so called (old maps labelled it Trunck Island), but its name is of unknown origin.[4]
Today, it contains two properties: a mansion plot which was built by Augustus Musson whose dream it was to retire to the island,[5] and a cottage plot.[6] The island has been owned by the Tucker/Gardner family since the early 19th century and was used as a summer camp for Bermudian groups such as Sea Scouts and Girl Guides in the 1920s and 1930s.[7] It remains privately owned by descendants of the first owners, although a share of the ownership of the mansion plot has now been donated to the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS), which supports educational programs at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo. The Bermuda Zoological Society purchased the cottage property and has created a living classroom throughout the island.[8]
Ecology
In 2024, a program to re-introduce the threatened Bermuda skink (Plestiodon longirostris) was carried out on the island in conjunction with Chester Zoo in England.[9]
King Charles III visited Trunk Island on May 1, 2026,[10] where he met students and staff of BZS, helped plant a Bermuda cedar, and met local wildlife including hermit crabs and longtails.[11]
Notes
- ↑ Williams, J. Randolf (1987). Man of stature : Sir Henry James Tucker. Bermuda: Camden Editions. p. 6. OCLC 31236793.
- ↑ "Trunk Island History | Bermuda Zoological Society". bamz.org. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ Tucker, Terry (1970). The islands of Bermuda : each isle and islet's separate story. Hamilton: The Island Press. p. 123.
- ↑ Zuill, William (1946). Bermuda Journey: A Leisurely Guidebook. New York: Coward-McCann. p. 151. OCLC 352233.
- ↑ Macdonald-Smith, Ian (1991). A scape to Bermuda. Bermuda: Paget. p. 109. ISBN 9768012692.
- ↑ Zuill, William (1946). Bermuda Journey: A Leisurely Guidebook. New York: Coward-McCann. p. 152. OCLC 352233.
- ↑ Tucker, Terry (1970). The islands of Bermuda : each isle and islet's separate story. Hamilton: The Island Press. p. 124.
- ↑ McWhirter, Fiona (18 March 2023). "Work finishes on Trunk Island classroom makeover". Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ Garcia, Gerardo (May 2024). "Bermuda skinks: the long route to Trunk Island". British Herpetological Society Reports (4). British Herpetological Society: 8–12. ISSN 2633-996X. OCLC 1417769730.
- ↑ Davison, Janet (17 May 2026). "Princess of Wales steps out on world stage — and sends signals for Royal Family — in solo sojourn to Italy". CBC News. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
- ↑ Casey, Ian; Sullivan, Helen (1 May 2026). "Bermuda welcomes King Charles with boats, dancing and cake-cutting". BBC News. Retrieved 23 May 2026.
King Charles then went on to visit the Living Classroom on Bermuda's Trunk Island, an initiative for young people to learn about the local eco-system. There, he watched with a group of children three land hermit crabs were released – they had been moved from a development site that threatened their habitat. During the visit, Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) staff performed a health check on a Bermuda Longtail, also known as a white-tailed tropic bird.