Crawling to extinction: Singapore turtle haven fights for life

This picture taken on April 7, 2019 shows Xiao Hei, an Aldabra giant tortoise, in its enclosure at the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum in Singapore. – Hundreds of turtles and tortoises, including rare and endangered species, face an uncertain future after their Singapore sanctuary — a Guinness World Record holder — was forced to relocate due to government redevelopment plans. (Photo by Theodore LIM / AFP) / TO GO WITH Singapore-museum-tourism-turtle, FOCUS by Theodore LIM

SINGAPORE — Hundreds of turtles and tortoises, including rare and endangered species, face an uncertain future after their Singapore sanctuary – a Guinness World Record holder – was forced to relocate due to government redevelopment plans.

At its peak around 1,000 of the creatures were housed at The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum, which opened in 2001 at popular tourist spot Chinese Gardens. It also showcased specimens and memorabilia such as figurines and stuffed toys.

While the venture built up a loyal following, there had been criticism online of the conditions the reptiles were kept in. Authorities decided to repurpose the area, and evicted them – leaving owner Connie Tan scrambling to find and finance a new location.

This picture taken on April 7, 2019 shows Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum owner Connie Tan posing for a photo with a sulcata tortoise in Singapore. – Hundreds of turtles and tortoises, including rare and endangered species, face an uncertain future after their Singapore sanctuary — a Guinness World Record holder — was forced to relocate due to government redevelopment plans. (Photo by Theodore LIM / AFP) / TO GO WITH Singapore-museum-tourism-turtle, FOCUS by Theodore LIM

“I gave up quite a lot for this, and it’s tough. My son’s university education fees have gone into keeping this place alive,” explained Tan, whose father created the original museum, securing the Guinness World Record for the “largest collection of tortoise and turtle items”.

She spent Sg$250,000 ($185,000) on the new venue but was only able to secure a short two-year lease and conceded the venture is running low on funds – a situation that has raised concerns about the long-term future for the turtles and tortoises.

Tan has battled hard to keep the museum going, even seeking out help from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on social media when she needed more time to find a suitable location.

Endangered species

During the move, she closed her event management business to house the turtles and tortoises at her office, leaving her temporarily without an income.

Today there are around 700 turtles at the new site in Yishun, a residential area far from Singapore’s main leisure and tourism hotspots.

This picture taken on March 29, 2019 shows red-eared sliders sunbathing at the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum in Singapore. – Hundreds of turtles and tortoises, including rare and endangered species, face an uncertain future after their Singapore sanctuary — a Guinness World Record holder — was forced to relocate due to government redevelopment plans. (Photo by Theodore LIM / AFP) / TO GO WITH Singapore-museum-tourism-turtle, FOCUS by Theodore LIM

The collection of animals has been amassed by the Tan family for more than 40 years. Many of the reptiles were pets that were rescued after the owners abandoned them.

“Tortoises may not react to you as much as how dogs can do, but they do have the ability to communicate with you if you pay attention to them. So, those people who’d like to buy turtles and tortoises, you must be ready to accept them for who they are,” she explained.

Tan said there are around 50 different species including some that are facing extinction such as the Reeves’ Turtle, which is used in Chinese Traditional Medicine and has been overhunted in the wild.

This picture taken on April 7, 2019 shows a child playing with a sulcata tortoise at the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum, while other visitors look on, in Singapore. – Hundreds of turtles and tortoises, including rare and endangered species, face an uncertain future after their Singapore sanctuary — a Guinness World Record holder — was forced to relocate due to government redevelopment plans. (Photo by Theodore LIM / AFP) / TO GO WITH Singapore-museum-tourism-turtle, FOCUS by Theodore LIM

It is classed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s “Red List of Threatened Species”.

The museum also houses African spurred tortoises and Indian star tortoises – often taken from the wild for the exotic pet trade – both are classed by the IUCN as “vulnerable”.

Despite the challenges, Tan expressed hope visitor support will ensure her project’s survival.

The 48-year-old said: “Friends of the museum have been generous with their donations, and I’ve started receiving visitors from places as far away as Russia, Poland, and even Israel.”

She added: “It does give me hope for the future.” /kga