To the doubtless delight of many zoo visitors, both young and old, otters have returned to New Plymouth District Council's Brooklands Zoo.
Otters haven't been at the zoo for over two years, and getting them back has involved plenty of planning, says NPDC zoo coordinator Eve Cozzi.
"Getting otters back into the zoo has been a long time in planning and we're thrilled to get not only young animals but a sizeable group of siblings."
The five female small-clawed otter siblings, aged between one and two years old, are from Dubbo Zoo in Australia and are now settling into their new home in Taranaki, she says.
"Otters are hugely popular among our visitors and we're frequently asked if we're ever getting more of them – really, they're the superstars of all our animals. I'm so happy that we can now say they're here."