Run by Connie Tan together with a couple of dedicated workers, The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum is as much about one family’s legacy, as it is about a real love for these gentle giants.
The Live Turtle And Tortoise Museum: A Unique Experience
The museum is the only venue in Singapore where you can get up close and personal with over 700 turtles and tortoises from more than 30 different species.
It is currently located at the former Orto, having moved there from the former Chinese Garden in Jurong.
It will have to move once again to Khatib soon as the Lorong Chencharu site is due to be returned to the government by end 2024.
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“There is no where else in Singapore one can go to learn about so many different types of turtles and tortoises, so I’ll do what it takes for as long as I need to keep the museum going,” says Connie who welcomes visitors to spend as much time as you’d like with her many, many pet turtles.
Yes, you read that right – her PETS.
In fact, the idea of a venue to allow Singaporeans to experience live turtles came about because of Connie’s love for these creatures from a young age.
She hid her first pet tortoises at the bottom of her bed and visited pet shops just to admire the tortoises until her father learnt about her love for the adorable creatures.
So, unsurprisingly, there’s no one else who would beg to differ and share about how loving these pets of hers really are.
Free-Range Tortoises
Unlike in a zoo, the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum allows many of its reptiles to roam freely during the day.
For example, being a land and water type, the terrapins are free to bask in the sun by the pond.
Or when it’s time to mingle with visitors, a clique of Sulcata Tortoises will be let out to play to their hearts’ content.
It is at this point that you’ll have the opportunity to stroke the turtles, or feed them snake beans you’ll have to buy from the museum.
When Connie was informed in 2011 that she would have to move the museum out of the Chinese Garden due to the government’s redevelopment plans for Jurong, she quickly got to work looking for a suitable new home for her turtles.
However, it wasn’t until an open letter she addressed to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in March 2018 that really made a difference.
She was – and continues to be – overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support she has received’ from the time she sought help with the relocation to setting up The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum in Orto, Connie shared that she has a lot to be grateful for.
“I have had friends and work acquaintances help in whatever way they can. Some of my friends volunteer to wash the Museum, others had donated and even bought the raw materials I needed to construct the structure that is the Museum!”
The fact of it is that the Museum still lacks funds, but Connie is determined to keep it running for new generations of visitors.
She shared her desire to keep entrance fees accessible so masses can visit the Museum.
She also encourages corporate institutions to sponsor visits by the less privileged as a meaningful way to give back.
A Museum of Rare Artefacts
Aside from being face-to-face with hundreds of turtles and tortoises, you will also get to admire over 3600 turtle-themed artefacts that Connie’s father began collecting from days of yore.
We’re talking turtle-everything, from jade sculptures to soft toys!
From her father’s collection of nearly 2500, Connie expanded it to 3600.
This collection is the biggest in the world, and registered in the Guinness Book of Records! When the museum moves to Khatib, displays will include QR codes for visitors to scan for more information on each artefact.
“My father travelled a lot, and he would buy as many different turtle artefacts he could find from the countries he visited. Some of the artefacts you’ll see are made out of very rare materials and gemstones – they truly are priceless.”
The Live Turtle And Tortoise Museum also runs workshops for schools and communities to educate them on the gentle creatures. Interns and applicants to Veterinary programmes are often welcome at the Museum.
What to Look Forward To At the New Site
We asked Connie what visitors can look forward to at the future site of The Live Turtle And Tortoise Museum.
It will be a bigger space at over 1100 sqm! It will also be able to accommodate larger groups of visitors and over 200 people in its space.
The Museum will also be growing its own food supply for the turtles and tortoises, apart from installing solar panels to harness solar energy. This will be the team’s commitment to its sustainability efforts and move towards a circular economy.
Ground Up Initiative and The Live Turtle And Tortoise Museum will co-located at Khatib, a stone’s throw from its current location at Lorong Chencharu.
Visitors can look forward to petting tortoises, learn about farming, dine and learn all in one location.
Donate to The Live Turtle And Tortoise Museum
The Live Turtle And Tortoise Museum has been committed to educational efforts and sharing the love for the four-footed reptiles for over three decades.
Connie’s heart for the community and people-centred initiatives highlight her fervour in running the Museum despite the huge challenges including funding concerns.
Recently, visitorship has fallen drastically due to Orto’s move.
It took 11 years to find a site for the Museum, and since 2011, the Museum has been told to vacate its premises at Chinese Garden then Lorong Chencharu which was meant to be a temporary holding site.
Evidently, finding a home for the turtles and tortoises has been encumbered with tides of obstacles from redevelopment plans, the pandemic to funding issues.
Support The Live Turtle And Tortoise Museum by donating here.
Funds will be used for repairs of the current site and the mammoth task of moving to a brand new site later this year.
The team is targetting a sum of $2.6 million.
Visiting The Live Turtle And Tortoise Museum
Where: 81 Lor Chencharu, Singapore 769198
Opening Hours: 10 am to 6 pm, closed on Tuesdays
Admission Fees: $14 per adult ($10 for Singaporeans/PRs) and $6 for senior citizens and children aged three to six years old
For more information on getting to The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum, visit its Facebook Page or go here.
