Pianist serenades London Zoo tortoises

Valentine’s Day is fast approaching and the London Zoo is looking to encourage the mating habits of their Galapagos tortoises through the use of music.

French pianist Richard Clayderman recently spent some time serenading the tortoises with romantic instrumentals, according to Sky News. The lumbering animals were treated to pieces by Bernstein and Tchaikovsky as well as tracks from Clayderman’s newly released album, Romantique, which came out on Feb. 4.

These Galapagos tortoises can live for 150 years and are now endangered, according to TNT Magazine. The zoo hopes that the male tortoise, Dirk, who is over 70, will take a shine to one of his teenage female companions - Dolly, Priscilla, Polly, or Dolores.

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

While the tortoises don’t seem to be moved by the music, perhaps the romantic season has more in store for them.