April The Giraffe Giving Birth Update: Latest Live Cam Activity Shows ‘Interesting’ Behavior

Pregnant April the giraffe did not start active labor on the live stream camera at Animal Adventure Park in upstate New York, but her “behavior” was interesting, a Monday report from the zoo said. Even though she was on edge last week, April was relaxed after raising her tail throughout the night.

The zoo took to their official Facebook page to give an update on April’s condition, just like they have since they started the YouTube live cam, which boasts up to 150,000 viewers at any given time.

READ: Pregnant April May Have Baby In April?

“April had us watching the monitors close last night,” the zoo wrote to their 850,000 followers. “Her behavior was interesting last night and is noted as continued this morning. She is very relaxed, tail has been raising on and off for periods of time.”

One of the things Animal Adventure Park closely monitored was April’s wax caps, which seals the udders so the colostrum is fresh for the calf when it’s born. “Wax caps are in place but we have noted a significant mammary change! Photo is comments section! We are getting there!” they said. “Any changes will be posted throughout the day.”

The post garnered more than 14,000 reactions after it was posted for less than one hour. A typical post from Animal Adventure Park about April’s latest condition attracts 50,000-100,000 reactions and thousands of shares and comments.

One of the things the park likes to do is share fun facts about giraffes. Monday’s bit of information was about the size of an adult giraffe’s hoof.

“The hoof of a giraffe is about 12 inches or the size of your dinner plate! Think about that at your next meal!! In the wild, hooves are naturally maintained by the hard and coarse ground surface. In captive management programs, we mimic that natural substrate for hoof care - often why you will often not see green grass (North American grass) in giraffe yards,” the zoo explained. “Their entry and exit from their barn also has a specific material, and the barn floors are finished to promote hoof trimming. If the hoof is not able to be naturally trimmed, giraffes can and will train to stand for the largest manicure you have ever seen!”

READ: Pregnant Giraffe Makes Progress, 'Like A Champ'

When a giraffe calf is born, it weighs 150 pounds and stands at 6-feet-tall. April’s calf will remain with her for up to 10 months, but will slowly be weaned off nursing and eventually be moved away from April to avoid incestuous behavior.

The zookeepers hoped April will give birth to her calf in her namesake month, which was days away.

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