London Zoo officials turn to pianist to put tortoises in romantic mood

Officials at the London Zoo are hoping the melifluous sounds of a famous pianist will put their Galapagos tortoises in a romantic mood

Sky News reports French pianist Richard Clayderman has been tickling the ivories of a baby grand piano at the zoo’s tortoise enclosure, in hopes of getting two of the creatures to mate.

Clayderman has been playing seductive songs in hopes that Dirk—a tortoise believed to be over 70 years old—will become a randy reptile with any of the zoo’s teen tortoises:  Polly, Dolly, Delores or Priscilla.

Scientists say music can have favorable effects on animal behavior. Some farmers even claim classical music has helped increase egg and milk production in their animals

Clayderman agrees with that theory. "Music is a powerful thing, and I would like to believe it has a positive effect on animals, as well as us. It certainly is an experience to play in such a well-known and romantic place as London Zoo," he told Sky

The results of the piano serenade are unclear thus far. Tortoises are traditionally shy, but perhaps love will bloom, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

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