Utter the words ‘Singapore’ and ‘Zoo’ in the same breath and everyone will think of Mandai’s Singapore Zoo. But how many of us know that there used to be a privately-owned wildlife attraction called the Singapore Miniature Zoo, operating from the 1950s to 1960s?
Don’t go thinking that this small-scale attraction had only domestic critters like little rabbits and chickens running around, either. It housed exotic animals like lions, penguins, a camel, a rhino, and an elephant. Here’s the rundown of what the sea-facing attraction in Pasir Panjang was like; feel free to ask your Ah Gong and Ah Ma about it and see if it jogs any memories of their zoo dates back in the day.
Image adapted from: National Archives of Singapore
In 1956, a man by the name of Tong Seng Mun started acquiring animals to open a zoo in Singapore. Mr Tong was the owner of Chop Wah On, a local medical oil brand which has been operating since 1916. He was also a wildlife dealer on the side, and kickstarted his exotic wildlife collection with a 90kg sea lion imported from Holland.
Image adapted from: National Archives of Singapore
Singapore Miniature Zoo officially opened on 25th January 1957 at 189 West Coast Road, facing the sea over in Pasir Panjang. At that time, admission cost only 50 cents for adults and 20 cents for kids – talk about a steal! Imagine getting attraction tickets for the price that it costs to get a dabao container nowadays.
Image credit: National Archives of Singapore
The zoo’s collection of animals steadily increased, with the following inhabitants by the late 50s: lions, panthers, sun bears, penguins, orangutans, a leopard, a tapir, a camel, a baby rhino, a baby elephant, tropical birds, and a whopping 50 tanks worth of tropical fish.
All this was just over a 2-hectare space! To put it into perspective, the Singapore Zoo we know and love today spans 28 hectares.
Image credit: National Archives of Singapore
As you can imagine, the welfare conditions for wildlife residing in Singapore Miniature Zoo reflected the norms of the time; a simpler era where care and captivity systems were rather rudimentary. While there weren’t recorded instances of straight-up mistreatment, it was definitely a far cry from the modern and internationally recognised standards of today’s Singapore Zoo.
Image credit: National Archives of Singapore
By the early 60s, the tightening of international wildlife trade regulations made it difficult for the private zoo to carry on its operations. It shuttered for good just shy of the decade-long mark.
Image credit: National Archives of Singapore
Mr Tong’s contributions didn’t stop there, though. Given that not any random Tom, Dick, or Harry has the experience of running their own zoo, Mr Tong’s knowledge proved helpful to the planning committees for subsequent wildlife attractions.
Van Kleef Aquarium.
Image credit: National Archives of Singapore
This included the Van Kleef Aquarium – which operated at the foot of Fort Canning Hill from 1955 to 1991, Jurong Bird Park (R.I.P.) before it became Bird Paradise, and – you guessed it – Singapore Zoo.
The Tongs later donated photos and written records to the National Archives of Singapore, preserving a fascinating part of Singapore’s history as well as their family legacy. How’s that for a fun fact to share? “My grandfather opened a zoo before, don’t play play!”
The Mandai Singapore Zoo is a must-visit for tourists visiting our lil island, and one of our national prides. But it’s neat to find out that decades before Singapore Zoo opened in 1973, there was a mini, privately-owned zoo which provided lots of fun and cherished memories for the generations that came before us.
Singapore Zoo opened as Singapore Zoological Gardens, before the name was simplified in 2006.
Image credit: Mandai Wildlife Group
Shoutout to Mr Tong too, for giving Singaporeans the chance to see an array of exotic wildlife before their very eyes. The access meant that locals, young and old, were able to develop a curiosity and love for animals.
This tidbit of history also hits different when you consider how far Singapore has come, from a miniature attraction to all the Mandai Wildlife Parks combined – the recipient of countless accolades and beloved by guests from all across the globe.
If all this reading about zoos has you in the mood for a visit yourself, book your tickets to Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, River Wonders, and Bird Paradise now.
For other wildlife attractions in Singapore and abroad, check out:
Cover image adapted from: National Archives of Singapore
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