April the Giraffe in 'Great Condition', Continues to Grow as She Gazes at Mate

>Tens of millions of people across the globe have tuned into the live stream in anticipation of the birth of April's fourth calf.

April the giraffe and her long-necked lover, Oliver, shared a touching moment this morning as the two longingly gazed at one another from above their pens.

The mom-to-be and fan favorite of millions around the globe is "in great condition" despite the blistering cold spell gripping the tri-state this weekend, the upstate New York zoo live-streaming her pen said.

A photo posted by the Harpursville Animal Adventure Park shows dark, rough-looking spots, or wax caps, decorating April's under belly. The wax caps seal colostrum in the udder to ensure that there will be enough for the calf's first nursing, according to the zoo. "Wax caps are what develops on the teats of the udder to keep colostrum in the udder, to ensure that it is [sic] there for baby's first nursing," the zoo wrote. "Caps are shed just prior or during delivery, or can be removed by the suckle of the baby."

April's restless calf was at it again early Sunday morning from 3 a.m. to 4 a.m. and again around 7 a.m., her keepers said.

The hungry giant demands a crunchy carrot before every vet visit as a "toll" to enter her stall for an exam, the zoo said Friday.

"Appetites have been strong!" The Harpursville Animal Adventure Park posted on Facebook late Thursday. "When our Vet stopped in today...Apil demands a "toll" before entering her stall for an exam!"

Due to the extreme cold, the giraffes will remain inside, but the zoo encouraged followers to sit tight, stay warm and relax.

The weather also interrupted the zoo's popular livestream. High winds interrupted the signal, but the zoo started another live video (available below).

We may not have to wait much longer for the birth of her calf. The zoo said Friday morning that April's handlers were "elated to have captured the calf kicking out!"

"April continues to have us all on edge; when will it be - we just don't know!" the zoo wrote. "All physical signs show we are ready for 'launch sequence.' So, we continue to patiently wait."

Keepers felt baby kicks, and viewers noticed an increase in tail-raising due to pressure from an unknown source. The long-necked beauty gave followers a special 18-inch message Friday — she playfully stuck out her purple and blue tongue for the camera.

Tens of millions of fans across the world have been hooked to the live stream for weeks now as they wait for April to deliver. The mama giraffe “continues to progress,” the zoo said — though a winter storm and more “baby kicks” may make April a bit anxious in the coming days.

April has had periods of edginess in recent weeks brought on by stretches of cold weather and her active calf, which was busy kicking away Thursday night, the zoo said. The zoo noted viewers may have noticed “increased tail raising” from April, likely due to the pressure of her growing baby. Nevertheless, April is in “great physical and mental condition,” and the vets who have been monitoring her say they’re pleased with her progression. Adorable Zoo Babies: German Shepherd Nurses Tiger CubsAdorable Zoo Babies: German Shepherd Nurses Tiger Cubs April's pregnancy was catapulted into global headlines late last month after YouTube briefly yanked the zoo's stream following complaints by animal activists that it violated the site's policies concerning "nudity and sexual content." Thousands upon thousands of commenters voiced their frustration on Facebook and YouTube, and the stream was restored within an hour or so. About 70,000 people were watching the YouTube stream by 8 a.m. Friday as April once again slinked over to her mate Oliver's pen, necking with him coyishly over the top as she swished her tail. Jordan Patch, owner of the Animal Adventure Park, says the natural curiosity surrounding giraffes and their birthing process has been a huge factor in drawing crowds. Recently Born Zoo AnimalsRecently Born Zoo Animals Everyone is waiting for April the giraffe to give birth. While you wait, take a look at some of the other recently born zoo animals from around the world.(Published Friday, March 3, 2017) "I think the fact that she's a giraffe and she's a neat species that people are interested in, that's fostered a lot of the attention," he said. "The fact that you're gonna get to witness the miracle of birth from an animal that you really don't get to see give birth — that's neat."

He added that April's pregnancy is not just live entertainment, but a teachable moment and source for education.

Giraffe pregnancies last up to 15 months. Labor lasts anywhere from a few hours to a few days. The calf, which will be the first born at Animal Adventure Park, will be about 150 pounds and 6 feet tall at birth and up and walking in about an hour.

The zoo said it will hold an online competition to name the baby giraffe once it's born.

Can giraffe’s live in colder climates? I hear that tigers, thought by most americans to be tropical climate animals, do quite well in cold conditions. Maybe we could seed Texas with giraffe’s and other african megafauna.

We live 1/2 hr away from the park, it is a great facility to bring kids, we took our cousins there two years ago and it was a blast. The Giraffe Facility is huge, they have a large yard and each of the Giraffes have a 40x40 inside area. We are so happy for the Park, they will be expanding into area that they have purchased in the Spring.

There’s a full moon out tonight. Maybe the baby will come soon!

I’ve been watching the live stream for about a week now. It’s fascinating! These giraffes are such beautiful, stately creatures and have unique personalities. April clearly has a favorite handler named Alyssa, who has gained almost as much of a following as April. April tolerates routine palpation of her belly by Alyssa and seems to be calmed by her presence. On the other hand, she gave the vet a swift kick in the shins the other day when he was examining her!

I urge everyone to check out the live stream. Here is the address:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClnQCgFa9lCBL-KXZMOoO9Q/live

I confess. I am one of the ones who have spent many hours the last two weeks watching that giraffe’s back side.

I need help!

I’ve seen this over on facebook, and have glanced at the video. Does April stay in that enclosure all the time? It seems rather small for such a large animal, and I wonder if she’s not going to go out of her mind from boredom. She’s been penned up like this for how many weeks? I don’t like zoos to start with. This constantly lit, small stage looks awfully cruel. Or do giraffes like that atmosphere? I can’t look at it.

It’s extremely cold where the zoo is located, plus there are winter storms going through. The doors are opened routinely during the day, but April prefers simply to look outside rather than to go outside.

We are told that the housing for the giraffes is larger than most other zoos. The giraffe building is heated. They also have a large outdoor area where they will spend much of their time when spring comes.

Giraffes have very short attention spans, so it isn’t likely she gets bored, but the coming and going are up to her.

By the way, I don’t like that night light either. She seems to turn her back on it when trying to sleep. I know they need to keep an eye on her, but it seems the light could be a little dimmer.

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