Winnie the Pooh and friends return to New York Public Library

NEW YORK, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The original stuffed bear which inspired the Winnie the Pooh series of children's stories was returned to the New York Public Library along with the other stuffed animals featured in the tales.

The New York Public Library shared a blog post announcing the return of Pooh as well as Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga and Tigger after they were sent away for treatment and repair.

"We take conservatorship of the dolls very, very seriously," the doll's caretaker Michael Inman said. "We work to ensure these things survive indefinitely."

Assistant director of preservation for the Library said the dolls, which were given as gifts to Winnie the Pooh author A.A. Milne's son Christopher Robin, "resemble their original selves" after the most recent round of treatment.

The dolls were vacuumed and placed on new mounts in front of a map of their home, the Hundred Acre Wood.

They have been placed back on display in advance of Winnie the Pooh's 95th birthday later in August.