Live Stream: Zookeepers Expect April The Giraffe To Give Birth Soon
HARPURSVILLE, N.Y. (KDKA) – Millions have been watching and waiting for April the Giraffe to give birth and zookeepers say the end may be in sight.
Zookeepers say that April is nearing the end of her pregnancy.
They've been monitoring April very closely and vets are on standby for a possible birth.
They've noted that she is very relaxed and her tail has been raising on and off for periods of time.
They also say that her udder continues to fill. Experts say giraffe's do not "bag up" with a full udder until a birth is near.
Zookeepers said Saturday morning: "She is big, full of milk, baby is kicking, just not coming out!"
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Update From Zoo: 3/16/2017
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This will be April's fourth calf and the first for the father, Oliver. The zoo says the calf will weigh around 150 pounds and be approximately six-feet tall at birth.
The zoo began streaming on Feb. 23 on YouTube showing April preparing to give birth.
THINGS TO KNOW:
April is 15 – her 4th calf
April has never lost a calf nor had a stillborn – odd rumor
Oliver is 5 – his 1st calf
They have some of the biggest pens in the nation (sq ft per animal). We take pride in our indoor housing and the level of enrichment and care to keep them happy and healthy.
The calf will weigh around 150lb and will be about 6′ tall at birth.
The front hooves will come out first followed by the snout.
Mom will naturally raise the calf, with weaning could take between 6-10 months, maybe longer. We will not rush this process – it is just a documented range of captive weaning.
Once the calf is born, we will have a contest to name it.
The keepers will go in with April, clean her pen, give her treats (but not Oliver). He is a bull – and a bull is a bull is a bull!
Giraffes are pregnant for 15 months
Upon naturally weaning, the calf will move on to another facility to start a breeding program there. We cannot retain offspring, as it would lead to incestuous mating and undermine the genetics of the program and species.
Those "things" on their heads are called ossicones.
Bulls (male giraffes) only really care about two things- fighting and the unmentionable….
Oliver may share space with April, but for short periods. Bulls take no part in rearing young.
They eat hay and specialized giraffe diet but love romaine lettuce and carrot treats.
April's water source, enrichment, and solo hay feeder are out of sight of the camera view.
This is Animal Adventure's first giraffe calf.
