The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum in Yishun is back, bigger and better than ever.
This Sunday (Aug 23), it will reopen at 11 Chencharu Close, which is a stone’s throw from its former location at Lorong Chencharu that closed in February last year.
The new premises is approximately 50 per cent larger, and will house more than 600 turtles from over 30 species, 8World reported.
“It’s been one-and-a-half years… Our new home will be bigger than before, with new programmes, turtles and photo spots for everyone,” the museum said in a TikTok video on Thursday.
According to museum owner Connie Tan, constructing the new space — which includes amenities such as tables, chairs and rest areas — cost over $2 million.
The majority of the sum went towards building the museum’s basic infrastructure.
Connie also used her retirement savings to fund the construction, she told 8World.
While there are some outstanding contractor fees, Connie hopes to pay them off through the museum’s revenue after it reopens.
Besides the new premises, another change visitors may notice is in the ticket prices.
There are three pricing categories for Singaporeans and permanent residents: Category A for three-to-six-year-olds, Category B for those aged seven and above, and Category C for those aged 60 and above.
The prices have increased by $1 across the board. Category B tickets now cost $11, while Category A and C tickets now go for $7.
Standard tickets for non-locals are split into Category One for three-to-six-year-olds and Category Two for those aged seven and up, and will cost $12 and $16 respectively.
The price hike is due to rising operating costs and construction, Connie explained.
Even with the increased ticket prices, it would still take years to recoup her investment.
“This is a community project. I hope it is affordable for everyone, and I hope everyone will have the opportunity to come and learn and experience,” she said.
Prior to the relocation, The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum operated at its previous location for six years.
During that period, the museum faced financial difficulties, which pushed Connie to appeal for visitors on social media.
Speaking to AsiaOne in 2024, Connie said that earnings had dipped sharply in the first two months of the year, adding that she “was really worried” when she noticed less than $100 in revenue every week day and “only a couple of hundreds” on weekends.
Founded by Connie and her father Danny Tan in 2001, The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum at Neil Road was a way for the pair to showcase their pets to the world.
In 2005, Danny earned a spot in the Guinness World Records for the largest collection of turtle and tortoise artefacts in the world, many of which are featured in the museum.
Some species housed at the museum include the Alligator Turtle, Malaysian Giant River Turtle and Sulcata Tortoise.
Address: 11 Chencharu Close, Singapore 769287
Opening hours: Daily, 10am to 6pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
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