An arthritic otter has become a surprise basketball sensation after being given training to improve his creaky joints at a zoo in Oregon.
Southern sea otter Eddie is 15 years old, middle aged in otter terms, and animal doctors have prescribed more exercise to help the old man loosen his arthritic elbows.
Eddie the otter is amazing at basketball
Basketball was chosen as otters don't often use their front limbs to swim, preferring a more laid back approach to life.
Jenny DeGroot, lead sea otter keeper at Oregon zoo, said in a statement: “He’s definitely got game. Sea otters have incredible dexterity, so it makes sense Eddie would have this hidden talent. They’re famous for using rocks as tools to crack open clams.”
Unfortunately visitors to the zoo won't be able to see Eddie slam dunk as the mammal only performs in the privacy of his training pool.