Zookeepers say April the Giraffe is IN LABOR! Watch the live stream of April above.
Zookeepers for April posted Saturday morning that the giraffe is in active labor. You can see the baby making its way into the world.
Recommended Videos
Here's the earlier update from Friday morning:
April is already out and enjoying the sunshine for the day. Grain intake remains moderate. Light discharge continues. Otherwise, all is normal and well - as expected. The only real drastic changes we will see from here is active labor - no much more change / development can occur.
Here is the Thursday night update from her keepers at Animal Adventure Park:
Not much to say this evening, as we covered quite a bit earlier in our live video Q&A and when crashing the Vet Visit with April.
April is doing great with light discharge. Appetite is so so. Some people inquired about Oliver's behavior with April earlier this evening.
He was not being "aggressive" -but he was certainly showing his dominance. You may have noticed his playful necking behaviors (not true aggressive necking behavior), his blocking her movements, etc. This is all part of the fun an games of a young bull.
At no time did he pose and serious threat to April of her calf...her laying down puts more force on the womb/calf, than light head bumps from Oliver.
April's condition remains the same: happy, big and beautiful. She enjoyed extended yard time today in the warm weather and sun. ... Oliver and April have both been enjoying their new enrichment gift.
Here is the update from her keepers Monday night:
Upon putting the giraffes away this evening - Corey & Jordan observed some extra discharge and swell. Just more indication of heading in the right direction. Dr Tim was onsite soon after and confirms we have a happy healthy momma and the waiting game continues! WE WILL SEE WHAT THE FULL MOON BRINGS!
Here is the update from the keepers Sunday night:
Our big girl seems to be moving around quite a bit! That is a good thing! Moms will get very "Pacey" before and during birth....we will see if it is any indication as to what is to come. All else is well.
April enjoyed yard time today! We have opened her door for weeks and she has only stood in the doorway; but today! - of all days! - she ventured out! Tonight's photo is of that time outside and tomorrow we will send more exclusive content to our text subscribers - of today and tomorrows escapades!
Background from AP:
A pregnant giraffe has its own website, a GoFundMe page, an apparel line and millions of people worldwide watching live-streaming video waiting for it to give birth.
The 15-year-old long-legged star, named April, is expected to give birth any time now in her enclosed pen at the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, rural upstate village 130 miles northwest of New York City.
Since the privately owned zoo's giraffe cam began live-streaming video from April's enclosure people around the world check on the status of April's 15-month pregnancy.
"Instead of local or regional we're global," said Cortney Whalen, a spokeswoman for zoo owner Jordan Patch. "It has definitely broadened the general awareness of the park."
Giraffes can be in labor anywhere from hours to a full day. April was elsewhere when she gave birth to her first three calves, and this one will be the Harpursville zoo's first giraffe calf. Patch plans to hold an online naming competition for the baby after it's born.
- April is 15 – her 4th calf
- Oliver is 5 – his 1st calf
- The calf will weigh around 150lb and will be about 6′ tall at birth
- Giraffes are pregnant for 15 months
- Those “things” on their heads are called ossicones
- This is Animal Adventure’s first giraffe calf