Attenborough plays cupid for frogs

Sir David Attenborough is being credited with a key role in getting a group of frogs in the mood for love.

After being at London Zoo for three years without mating, eight Mission Golden-eyed Tree frogs finally did the deed during a visit by the naturalist.

And the frogs, native to South America, have produced between 40 and 50 tadpole offspring, reports the Daily Telegraph.

The zoo had tried many different ways to break the ice between the carnivorous frogs, but nothing worked until "one look" from Sir David seemed to get them in the mood.

However the frogs' keepers admitted it was more likely that the amphibians finally mated because of a humidifier placed in their new tank, which coincided with Sir David's arrival.

Keeper George Sunter said: "It is really exciting that we have bred these frogs for the first time.

"It's a great coincidence that we moved them to time in with Sir David's visit - and that this seems to have moved the earth for them."

Sir David was at the zoo to host a conference about the grave threat of extinction poised to wipe out many frogs.

-Ananova