London Zoo has turned its attention to helping humans find a mate for life.

Unusual dating event applies animal mating strategies to humans

Having played match-maker with countless animals, ZSL London Zoo is turning its attention to the love lives of humans, with a new dating event.

Staff at the zoo are well accustomed to pairing off animals. In fact, the zoo is responsible for co-ordinating the worldwide conservation breeding programme for Sumatran tigers.

Not content with helping just its animal residents find lasting love, however, the zoo is hosting an unusual dating event for humans.

Staff will apply their trusty studbook statistics and animal introduction methods to guests hoping to find a mate for life.

Would-be daters will have to fill out an online quiz in their bid to get one of only 60 places at the event.

Studbook co-ordinators will then assess all the entrants and decide on a guest list based on the compatibility of attendees.

Successful candidates will be invited to purchase a £20 ticket to the event, which takes place on May 28.

Money raised from the event will go towards ZSL's worldwide conservation efforts.

Each human dater will be assigned to an animal group and staff will identify potential mates using enrichment tactics often employed by zookeepers when introducing animals to each other.

Guests will get to know each other with preliminary games under the watchful eye of ZSL staff, before moving on to "sensory enrichment", with activities ranging from competitive calling to territory marking.

Finally, daters will be allowed "free contact", while stud-book holders step back to let nature take its course.

Romantic hopefuls must register for the event online by May 20.

Image courtesy of ZSL London Zoo.