Two Otago skinks and a tuatara will be dropping into the Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery in Alexandra today. The skinks will be returning to the museum to live later this month after their enclosure there has been upgraded, Central Stories project manager Rachel Checketts said.
The Central Otago Ecological Trust has given $500 towards the upgrade, which will be used for new heat lamps.
''The Otago skinks are one of the most critically threatened lizards in New Zealand and by welcoming some of them back to Central Stories, it is hoped we can further raise awareness of their situation and help to ensure their survival,'' Miss Checketts said.
The skinks will be at the museum between 10am and noon today and will be joined by Gunther the tuatara from the Southland Museum. Activities planned around the visit include the chance to name the skinks, feeding time and a question-and-answer session.
