Since February 10rd, 2017, the world has been anxiously waiting for April the giraffe to give birth during a live streaming video millions are viewing. The Animal Adventure Park has set up multiple cameras to capture practically every angle of the birth. Some believe the park has pulled a prank, possibly an April Fool’s joke, but the owner Jordon Patch says that was not the case. They created a website about April. On it you will find a gofundme page which has raised over $120,000 so far. They also have a sponsorship page.
The petting zoo obtained 15 year old April in September 2015 and intended to mate her with their first giraffe, Oliver. It’s clear the zoo doesn’t know when she became pregnant after they put out a live video last November saying “April was expected to give birth in January.” The zoo vet said he will no longer announce his “guestimate” for the birth since it hasn’t happened during his 24-48 predictions.
The current live streaming video was set up to keep any interested folks aware of April’s pregnancy while the park remains closed during the winter months. If you want to see the live video, you can view it on this site. Go over to the right side bar (on any page) and click on the live wildlife streaming video.
An endangered Rothschild’s giraffe named Orla gave birth earlier this week at the Chester zoo in England beating April. You can view the birth in the video.
According to Animal Adventure Park’s facebook page, here is today’s update on the pregnant giraffe- April’s belly/body is less beach balled as the bulges have streamlined, perhaps suggesting a new position of calf…..we hope for sequence launch. The zoo gives updates every day on their facebook page.
While the world waits and waits for April to give birth, read 10 interesting facts about giraffe pregnancies.
1.The length of a giraffe pregnancy is between 453-464 days or roughly 14-15 months making it one of the longest gestation periods in the animal world. A single calf offspring is more common than twins which occurs occasionally. Only whales and elephants have longer gestation periods.
2. You can’t tell a giraffe is in labor until the “calf’s hoof begins to poke out of her rear end, states Jordon Patch, owner of the Animal Adventure Park. “Giraffes hide their labor for however long it’s lasting in order not to draw attention from predators who will wait out a giraffe’s labor in order to attack once the calf is born.”
3. April, the female giraffe, is called a cow and her baby is called a calf. Oliver, the father is, called a bull.
4. Giraffes stand up while giving birth. The calves come out head first leading to a high fall which breaks the amniotic sac. The umbilical cord also becomes severed during the fall. There should be plenty of hay to offer a soft landing for the calf.
5. The calf will weigh between 100-150 pounds. The “baby” will be six feet tall!
6. The calf has to learn to stand very quickly if he/she wants to reach April to nurse.
7. The calf will be walking within 30 minutes after entering the world and running within the first 24 hours.
8. April will wean her calf for nine to twelve months.
9. This is April’s fourth calf.
10. Giraffes are classified “vulnerable to extinction.” Their numbers have dropped significantly over the last few decades.
While millions of viewers wait for the arrival of the new calf, I hope people get excited about giraffes and how amazing the species is. The park will reopen May 13. It is located at 85Martin Hill Road, Harpursville, New York 13787.
I still don’t why that animals are being kept in a zoo zoos. Do you think it’s right Tina? It’s a moneymaker for sure. I enjoy watching and waiting for this birth.
Overall, I don’t agree with zoos in general. I feel animals would be better off in sanctuaries rather than zoos. Confining them doesn’t allow them to feel what it would be like to be in their real world. Sanctuaries offer more area for the animals and are protected.
Thank you!
I thought so
I think it’s great what they’re doing. Kids and adults alike can learn a lot from this adventure. The money they raise is needed to take care of all the animals . I don’t think they’re abusing the situation at all. Go April!
How can April’s caretakers be so far off with her due date? When they told us the calf would be coming any day in February but there is no calf in April, something’s off. If they bred her, they should have a better idea. Something doesn’t add up for me. Hmmm
They breed them more than once over a stretch of time. They don’t know when she became impregnated so her due date would vary. They should’ve had a better idea of her due date. I’m not sure why they were that far off.
Cuz they don’t know what they’re doing
People have donated a ton of money to the park. Perhaps, April’s pregnancy is a prank to rake in dough.
Animal Park Adventure hasn’t hidden the fact they are a for-profit zoo. It is expensive to run a zoo or sanctuary so I can’t fault them for taking this opportunity to raise more money. It’s up to the public if they choose to give to them.
Thanks!
They’re donating part of the money to other organizations.
Why do I want to see a giraffe giving birth? Do women want the world to see them giving birth? Shouldn’t this be private? What’s the real reason they’re doing this?
Don’t forget giraffes are stuck in these small places for life. Its not fair to them. That’s a fact we can’t forget.
Suzette, I don’t forget animals are stuck in smaller spaces in zoos. Thank you for your comment.
The area is so small to accommodate a huge giraffe and her big calf. Don’t like that.
Very good website – bookmarked