Two Giant Galapagos tortoises have been born for the first time in a British zoo thanks to a randy geriatric tortoise named Dirk.
Despite being well over 70-years-old Dirk is still in peak physical condition and has a very healthy labido.
He successfully mated with 21-year-old female Charlie last November and the eggs she laid have now resulted in the arrival of two tiny tortoises at Crocodiles of the World in Brize Norton, Oxon.
It is the first time a British zoo has successfully bred a Giant Galapagos tortoise that is an endangered species.
And despite their tiny size - they are about the size of a tennis ball and weigh about 3ozs each - they will grow to 30 stones each as adults.
Giant Galapagos tortoises are famous for their long necks and are synonymous with Charles Darwin who discovered the theory of evolution by studying them.
The arrival of two baby tortoises is good news for the species whose numbers in the world now stand at about 15,000 compared to 200,000 in the 19th century.
They are classed as vulnerable on the IUCN's Red List.
Keepers at Crocodiles of the World are closely monitoring their progress and feeding them a diet of dried grasses, leafy greens, pear cactus and weeds.
Shaun Foggett, founder of Crocodiles of the World, said: "We're incredibly proud to have successfully bred these tortoises, who have previously been very close to extinction.
"We have all been hoping for this day since the giant tortoises joined us in 2018 and it's a significant achievement towards helping the conservation of the species."
The attraction has four adult Giant Galapagos tortoises; three females called Zuzu, Isabella and Charlie and Dirk, who is named after lothario Dirk Diggler from the movie Boogie Nights.
They are part of a European conservation programme.
Dirk originally came to Britain after being caught from the wild on the Galapagos Islands in 1962.
Giant Galapagos tortoises - Chelonoidis niger in Latin - are the largest tortoise species in the world; they can grow up to 6ft in length and 900lbs in weight.
They mate all year round and the male is known to make loud grunting noises when doing so.
