Wellington Zoo has become home to 27 eastern Otago skinks as part of a Department of Conservation plan to restore the critically endangered species.
Dr Lisa Argilla with a rare Otago skink. Photo: RNZ
The zoo's veterinary sciences manager, Lisa Argilla, says the eastern and western Otago skinks are New Zealand's largest lizard species and can grow up to a length of 300 millimetres.
The lizards will have a number of health checks before being released at the Orokonui Ecosanctuary, north of Dunedin, where it is hoped the skinks will breed.
Dr Argilla say the skinks are being housed at the zoo in order to protect the species and to maintain a reserve of genetic diversity.
