Jin the otter has now been on the run for three weeks and staff from Auckland Zoo are becoming increasingly worried about her safety.

Although she has been spotted around the greater Auckland area, she has managed to evade capture.

The most recent sighting was last Friday around Motutapu and Motuihe islands. Zoo spokeswoman Brooke Noonan says zoo staff were out in boats at the weekend looking for her and are concerned about her welfare.

She says Jin may have swum up the creek between the two islands and be living amongst the mangroves.