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The great tortoise migration: From Chinese Garden to Yishun

Find out how some 500 turtles, tortoises and terrapins are moved out from their home at the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum at the Chinese Garden in Jurong to Orto in Yishun.
Connie Tan, 48, the owner of The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum, makes sure a two red-footed tortoise feels comfortable in its new enclosure at Orto.
Connie Tan, 48, the owner of The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum, makes sure a two red-footed tortoise feels comfortable in its new enclosure at Orto.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Staff and volunteers forming a human chain to transfer red-earred terrapins and Malayan box terrapins to a truck. The reptiles are being sent to the attraction’s new site at Orto.
Staff and volunteers forming a human chain to transfer red-earred terrapins and Malayan box terrapins to a truck. The reptiles are being sent to the attraction’s new site at Orto.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
A Red-ear slider terrapin making itself right at home, swimming in its new enclosure at Orto.
A Red-ear slider terrapin making itself right at home, swimming in its new enclosure at Orto.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
A worker carries a basket with a Yellow-footed tortoise and a Radiated star tortoise to their new enclosures at Orto.
A worker carries a basket with a Yellow-footed tortoise and a Radiated star tortoise to their new enclosures at Orto.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Abstract images of turtles decorate the entry to the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum at its Chinese Gardens site.
Abstract images of turtles decorate the entry to the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum at its Chinese Gardens site.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Signages in the form of tortoises thrown out at the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum in Chinese Gardens site.
Signages in the form of tortoises thrown out at the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum in Chinese Gardens site.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
A notice hangs at the entrance to the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum at its Chinese Gardens site in preparation for the big move.
A notice hangs at the entrance to the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum at its Chinese Gardens site in preparation for the big move.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
The iconic tortises that grace the main entrance of the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum at its Chinese Gardens site will be left behind. They were showcased a few years after they moved to the Chinese Garden from it former Neil Road site.
The iconic tortises that grace the main entrance of the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum at its Chinese Gardens site will be left behind. They were showcased a few years after they moved to the Chinese Garden from it former Neil Road site.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Volunteer Norman Lee, 29, a cabin crew takes a moment at the pond of the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum in Chinese Gardens.
Volunteer Norman Lee, 29, a cabin crew takes a moment at the pond of the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum in Chinese Gardens.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Posters left behind at the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum in its Chinese Gardens site.
Posters left behind at the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum in its Chinese Gardens site.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Ms Connie Tan, 48, the owner of The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum (left) together with volunteers have a moment with Xiao Hei, a female Aldabra giant tortoise who is more than 30 years old, at the Chinese Gardens site. Xiao Hei is the most popular
Ms Connie Tan, 48, the owner of The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum (left) together with volunteers have a moment with Xiao Hei, a female Aldabra giant tortoise who is more than 30 years old, at the Chinese Gardens site. Xiao Hei is the most popular turtle at the attraction.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum moved to its new home in Yishun last Tuesday

Published: 
Jan 14, 2019, 5:00 am SGT
Benson Ang Lifestyle Correspondent / Kua Chee Siong Executive photojournalist

Some ducked into their shells. Others flailed their limbs wildly. And then there were those who kept calm and got ready to move on, slowly.

Last Tuesday, about 500 residents of The Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum left their Chinese Garden abode of more than 15 years and moved to a new home.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 14, 2019, with the headline 'The great tortoise migration'. Print Edition | Subscribe
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