REWRITING HISTORY
The earliest documented sighting of a tiger in Singapore was in 1831. It reported that a Chinese national had been killed by one. The island’s lush virgin jungles were home to prey like pigs and deer, thus making them ideal hunting grounds for tigers. Known to be excellent swimmers, they had swum across the Strait of Johor into Singapore. When vast forests were cleared to make way for roads and plantations, tiger attacks became so common that they were rumoured to claim one life per day by the mid-19th century. The government subsequently offered financial rewards for every tiger killed, eventually driving them to extinction. The last wild tiger, spotted in Choa Chu Kang, was shot and killed in 1930.
You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.
Start your free 30 days