April the Giraffe was showing possible contractions and other odd behaviours for the last few days, according to her carers at Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York. The giraffe became a viral sensation almost two years ago, when she gave birth live online. And now the internet celebrity has been confirmed to be in labour, with excited fans around the world tuning in to watch the action. April the Giraffe is in the first stages of labour, with the hooves showing as of 4pm on March 16. Express.co.uk brings you the latest news on April the Giraffe’s birth.
Animal experts say April the giraffe is close to birth because she keeps licking her behind.
This means April is readying herself for delivery – although this could be a long process.
April’s live cam broadcasts around the clock the pregnant giraffe’s antics as she nears her due date.
WATCH the embedded live stream below to see the amazing moment live.
Some 200,000 people are currently watching the live streamed birth at the time of wiring, at 3.38pm on March 16.
And the comments section of the live stream, published on Youtube by Animal Adventure Park, has gone wild with excitement.
One user, Jessica Saavedra, wrote: “People need to calm down. Ok you didn’t get a text yet, they are still sending them.
“If you know she is in active labor then you didn’t miss anything and you’re already watching – lets be positive.”
One user said: “Wow, that happened fast, resting and jumped up with little feet showing.
“Hope the rest of delivery as fast and a healthy baby. Way to go momma.”
Rebecca Curtis said: “Come on girly push that beautiful baby out, AAP thank you for this amazing opportunity to witness such a miracle.”
Giraffes are pregnant for a period between 14 and 15 months, or 453 to 464 days – one of the longest gestation periods in the animal kingdom.
But the labour itself is fairly swift, around half an hour usually.
Mother giraffes give birth standing up, which means the newborn baby will fall a total of about six feet – which is also the average height of a newborn giraffe calf.
That may seem like a long way down but this is how the amniotic sac breaks and the umbilical cord breaks.
The vast drop also encourages the baby to take their first breath.
AAP confirmed April was now in labour on their Facebook page today, saying: “We are in labour!!!!!”
On Friday, March 15, April’s carers reported possible signs of contractions, masking as muscle spams near her belly and hip.
The zookeepers said all staff are now cautious when around the giraffe and are keeping their distance as a result.
Animal Adventure Park said: “While her interest in treats was obvious to cam viewers, she was cautious of those around her.
“Keepers also observed ‘spasms’ in the muscles where the ‘belly’ meets the ‘hip’, which could be contractions.”