Zoo keepers tasked with counting every animal at London Zoo are hoping a baby Galapagos tortoise will boost the numbers soon.
Galapagos tortoise Dirk joined the zoo last year and, despite his advanced years, has been mating energetically with his two female companions, Dolly and Dolores, ever since.
But when the annual stock-take is carried out this week, the zoo will still be missing an infant tortoise.
A zoo spokeswoman said: "Dirk is trying his best. We're hoping he will reproduce with one of the females."
The giant tortoises, which proved to be one of the zoo's most popular attractions last year, are one of more than 750 different species that live there.
The zoo's large population - there were 14,567 animals at the last count - means it will take keepers about a week to complete the stock-take.
Tim Savage, a bird keeper at the zoo, said: "A true team effort, our annual stock-take involves all of our keepers tallying up every animal in our collection.
"And while totalling up the number of penguins doesn't cause too much trouble, trying to count the thousands of bugs in our collection is a completely different kettle of fish."
Among the new additions since last year's count are the first lion cubs born there in a decade, a pair of nosey aardvarks and a Komodo dragon.
The zoo is hoping the Komodo, a female called Rinca, will also help boost its numbers this year. Seven-year-old Rinca arrived from South Africa last April and is currently being introduced to her soon-to-be partner Raja, and if all goes according to plan the zoo could be hearing the patter of tiny Komodo dragon claws in the near future.
