Our forgotten zoo

PHOTO: Courtesy of Lawrence Basapa

Mention a local zoo and the world-renowned Singapore Zoo, established in 1973, is probably the only one to come to mind.

Yet, back in the early part of the last century, a collection of animals here was already making waves around the world.

It was situated on the grounds of a large family bungalow in Upper Serangoon Road in the 1920s.

A wealthy animal trader of Indian descent, Mr William Lawrence Soma Basapa (above), housed an extensive private collection of 200 animals and 2,000 birds there.

It was even visited by scientist Albert Einstein. But it was closed down during World War II.

Today, the site has become part of the Punggol Promenade.