Crocodile farming in Singapore is a specialized agricultural industry dedicated to the breeding and raising of crocodiles for the commercial production of both crocodile meat and leather.
The majority of crocodile species farmed in Singapore since the 1940s have primarily included Crocodylus porosus, along with Crocodylus novaeguinae, Caiman crocodilus, and Tomistoma schlegelii, with Crocodylus porosus being the most prevalent.R.A. Luxmoore, J.G. Barzdo, S.R. Broad and D.A. Jones (1985). A Directory of Crocodilian Farming Operations. Great Britain: University Press, Cambridge. pp. 133–135. . Singapore has served as a hub for exporting crocodile meat and operates tanneries that process crocodile skins for the leather industry. Although crocodile farming was once a highly profitable industry for many farms in Singapore, only one remains today. As of 2023, Long Kuan Hung Crocodile Farm is the sole surviving crocodile farm in the country, housing more than 13,000 crocodiles.
History Early colonial influence There is no evidence of commercial crocodile use in Singapore during the 19th century. The first proposal for such a venture came in 1924 when David George Stead, the Fisheries Enquiry Commissioner of British Malaya, suggested that Singapore could serve as a hub for the surrounding islands in the development of a crocodile leather industry."Commercial Crocodiles". The Straits Times. 25 March 1924. p. 2. Stead proposed this as a subsidiary industry to complement the existing fisheries in Malaya, highlighting its potential for economic expansion.
In the 1930s, the commercial potential of crocodile leather gained attention following David George Stead’s earlier proposals. Lancelot Ambrose Scudamore Jermyn, a member of the Malayan Educational Service, strongly advocated for hunting and utilizing crocodiles. Jermyn conducted early experiments in crocodile leather production, eventually achieving success after numerous failed attempts."Schoolmaster tells of a new industry in Malaya". The Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicles. 15 August 1936. p. 7. Jermyn even encouraged the establishment of crocodile farms, suggesting that locals living along river mouths construct enclosures for baby crocodiles."Trying the "Skin Game" in Malaya". Morning Tribune. 13 August 1936. p. 25. Crocodile hunting for sustenance continued in rural areas, as noted by local accounts from villagers, further indicating the unrecorded use of wild crocodiles.Pocklington, Kate (2021). Beast, Guardian, Island: The Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus Schneider, 1801) in Singapore, 1819–2017. National University of Singapore: Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. p. 26. .
Rise of crocodile farming in post-war Singapore Crocodile farming only began to thrive after World War II, as Singapore rose to prominence as a major hub for the crocodile skin trade. By 1948, many shops in Singapore sold and kept crocodiles, pythons, and lizards for commercial purposes. Most of the crocodiles were sourced from Johore and Sumatra, where they were raised until large enough to be skinned and made into leather goods. Crocodile skin shoes, for instance, were sold for $40 a pair."Choose your own crocodile". The Straits Times. 2 May 1948. p. 5.
A notable example of a pioneering crocodile farm is the Tan Moh Hong Reptile Skin and Singapore Crocodile Farm, established in 1945 by Tan Gua Chua.Pocklington, Kate (2021). Beast, Guardian, Island: The Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus Schneider, 1801) in Singapore, 1819–2017. National University of Singapore: Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum. p. 27. . Situated on Upper Serangoon Road, the farm began modestly with just 10 crocodiles in Tan's backyard but soon expanded into a 90,000 square-foot facility near Serangoon Garden Estate. Originally created to share Tan's passion for crocodiles, the farm also supplied skins to his tannery, which produced items such as shoes, wallets, belts, and handbags."The Singapore Crocodile Farm at Upper Serangoon Road". Roots.gov. 1970. Retrieved 30 September 2024. The rising global demand for reptile skins in high fashion markets, combined with the scarcity of crocodiles in Malaysia due to the high price of crocodile meat, helped position Singapore as a thriving hub for the reptile skin industry."Singapore doing roaring trade in croc skins". The Straits Times. 4 July 1961. p. 14."Shedding tears over a vanishing breed". The Straits Times. 1 October 1972. p. 10.
Establishing a crocodile supply chain in Singapore In 1964, then-Minister of Finance, Goh Keng Swee together with the Economic Development Board of Singapore, announced plans to establish a modern leather tannery in Singapore which aimed to capitalise on the global demand for reptile and crocodile skins."New tannery a govt idea". The Straits Times. 27 August 1964. p. 9. At this time, Singapore's crocodile export industry, primarily based on locally bred crocodiles, was estimated to be worth over three million dollars.
By the 1970s, crocodile farms had proliferated throughout Singapore, appearing in agriculture plots such as Punggol, Yio Chu Kang, and Chua Chu Kang. Surveys showed that there were many small-time farmers who kept their crocodiles in back-yard enclosures until the reptiles are of age to be killed.R.A. Luxmoore, J.G. Barzdo, S.R. Broad and D.A. Jones (1985). A Directory of Crocodilian Farming Operations. Great Britain: University Press, Cambridge. pp. 133. . A study conducted in 1977 identified over 92 farms in Singapore that were raising crocodiles, with only 5 dedicated exclusively to the crocodile trade. The remaining 87 farms cited purely economic reasons for keeping crocodiles, viewing them as a lucrative sideline to their poultry operations.Lan, Yeo. “Crocodile Farming in Singapore.” 1977.
An international trade study reported that total exports of crocodile skins peaked in 1980, with Singapore exporting 92,461 kg of skin.J. Don Ashley (1988). International Alligator and Crocodile Trade Study. Ashley Associates, Inc. p. 12. Despite the boom in the import and export of crocodile skins, Singapore was not a party to CITES, a multilateral treaty that protects endangered plants and animals from the threats of international trade.J. Don Ashley (1988). International Alligator and Crocodile Trade Study. Ashley Associates, Inc. p. 25.
Pivoting to tourism Crocodiles and their leather products played a significant role in Singapore's economy from the late 1960s, contributing to the country's tourism industry and the demand for exotic goods as Singapore sought to rebrand itself as a tourist destination.Soh, Esmond Chuah Meng (2024). "A Cultural History of Fear, Fascination, Fantasy and Crocodiles in Singapore". In Singaporean Creatures: Histories of Humans and Other Animals in the Garden City, edited by Timothy P. Barnard: 116. Crocodile leather handbags and clothing became popular items sold to tourists, with Raffles Place Garden featuring them as early as 1965."Another boost for Spore tourist industry". The Straits Times. 27 November 1965. p. 14. By 1971, when Commonwealth delegates visited Singapore, their wives were taken to a crocodile farm and tanning facility, which was highlighted as a key part of the tour."VIP wives at crocodile farm". The Straits Times. 22 January 1971. p. 9.
Farms like Tan Moh Hong Reptile Skin and Singapore Crocodile Farm slowly transformed into popular tourist attractions, featuring live crocodiles imported from Indonesia and Cambodia. Visitors could observe the animals in large pools, tour a factory where raw crocodile skins were tanned and processed, and purchase crocodile skin products on-site."The Singapore Crocodile Farm at Upper Serangoon Road". Roots.gov. 1970. Retrieved 30 September 2024. High influx of tourism to Singapore attracted major players to develop crocodile farms as tourist attractions. Notably, the Singapore Crocodilarium, which opened in 1981, emerged as one of the country's key nature-based destinations.K. Pocklington and S. Perez (31 July). "Revulsion and Reverence: Crocodiles in Singapore". Biblioasia. Jul–Sep (2018). In 1988, Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) announced plans to open Jurong Crocodile Paradise, a park designed to house over 2,500 crocodiles in recreated natural habitats."Plans for crocodile park in Jurong". The Business Times. 12 March 1986. p. 3. The $10 million park project aimed to provide both entertainment and education, featuring an amusement center, tanning workshops, and a 200-seat auditorium for visitors."New crocodile theme park to cost $10m". The Business Times. 8 June 1988. p. 2."800 more reptiles to join latest tourist attraction". The Straits Times. 20 January 1980. p. 9.Khoo Yong Hao (9 April 2024). "Jurong Reptile Park – Formerly The Largest In Asia, With >50 Reptile Species & Crocodile Shows". The Smart Local Singapore. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
Ecotourism in Singapore, supported by government initiatives, focuses on promoting eco-friendly attractions and preserving natural landscapes. Despite its small size and high urbanization, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) had actively developed and marketed these such attractions as part of its broader strategy to position Singapore as a green destination. Through initiatives like "Island Escapades," "Rustic Charm," and "Nature Trail," Singapore incorporated nature into its tourism offerings for both mass tourists and niche ecotourism groups.Henderson, Joan C., Alex Koh, Sherlyn Soh, and Mohammed Yazid Sallim. "Urban Environments and Nature-based Attractions: Green Tourism in Singapore." Tourism Recreation Research 26, no. 3 (2001): 71-78.Ooi, Can-Seng. "The Orient Responds: Tourism, Orientalism and the National Museums of Singapore." Tourism 53, no. 4 (December 2004): 285-299. Crocodile-themed attractions and farms attract only 10% of the total visitor rate compared to other nature-based attractions, such as the Singapore Zoo and Singapore Botanic Gardens.Henderson, Joan C., Alex Koh, Sherlyn Soh, and Mohammed Yazid Sallim. "Urban Environments and Nature-based Attractions: Green Tourism in Singapore." Tourism Recreation Research 26, no. 3 (2001): 74-75. All crocodile themed attractions have ceased operations in Singapore.
Decline of crocodile farms in Singapore Singapore faced scrutiny for allegedly facilitating wildlife trade due to its role as a regional commerce hub. The World Wildlife Fund stated that crocodile skins were taken illegally from their country of origin and shipped to Singapore and re-exported to European and US markets."World body backs US wildlife ban". The Business Times. 8 October 1986. p. 3. In response, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) was implemented in Singapore on 9 February 1987.Lye, Lin-Heng. "The Implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Singapore." Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy 2, no. 1 (1999): 46-63. The treaty aimed to ensure that international trade of animals listed under its protection would not threaten their survival in the wild, with the trade of crocodiles to and from Singapore falling under these regulations.