Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
April, a 15 yo pregnant giraffe. 4/13 Thursday Morning Update.
Last edited Fri Apr 14, 2017, 06:16 PM - Edit history (50)
Started streaming February 10, 2017
Meet April, a 15-year-old giraffe living at the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York. April has already given birth to three calves in the past, and she’s about to have her fourth.
April is a bit of a cougar because her baby daddy, Oliver, is only 5 years old and this is his first time being a father and having a baby.
As the birth of April’s baby neared, the park decided to livestream her pen and capture the calf’s entry into the world.
http://www.aprilthegiraffe.com/
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdventurePark/
https://twitter.com/AprilTheGiraffe
https://twitter.com/AnmlAdvntrPark
Meet April, a 15-year-old giraffe living at the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, New York. April has already given birth to three calves in the past, and she’s about to have her fourth.
April is a bit of a cougar because her baby daddy, Oliver, is only 5 years old and this is his first time being a father and having a baby.
As the birth of April’s baby neared, the park decided to livestream her pen and capture the calf’s entry into the world.
http://www.aprilthegiraffe.com/
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdventurePark/
https://twitter.com/AprilTheGiraffe
https://twitter.com/AnmlAdvntrPark
41 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdventurePark/
Animal Adventure Park
2 hrs ·
3/27 Morning Update
April had us watching the monitors close last night. 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. Wax caps are in place but we have noted a significant mammary change! Photo is comments section! We are getting there!
Any changes will be posted throughout the day.
Today, we share with you the video link to a highly demanded, up close (but quick) video of April and Allysa. Their bond is evident - a true trusting relationship.
Giraffe Factoid:
The hoof of a giraffe is about 12" 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 not see green grass (North American grass) in giraffe yards. 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!
Animal Adventure Park
2 hrs ·
3/27 Morning Update
April had us watching the monitors close last night. 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. Wax caps are in place but we have noted a significant mammary change! Photo is comments section! We are getting there!
Any changes will be posted throughout the day.
Today, we share with you the video link to a highly demanded, up close (but quick) video of April and Allysa. Their bond is evident - a true trusting relationship.
Giraffe Factoid:
The hoof of a giraffe is about 12" 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 not see green grass (North American grass) in giraffe yards. 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!
Animal Adventure Park
· 13 mins ·
3/29 Late Morning Update
We apologize for the late update but it is for good reason. We will not confirm active labor, but we do have discharge that would suggest the count down to calf has begun!
Mammary development is on point and picture is in comments. We will keep everyone posted throughout the day with developments. Our team and Vet are on standby. We could be hours away or days - so do not stop your day - but certainly don't stop watching!
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdventurePark/
· 13 mins ·
3/29 Late Morning Update
We apologize for the late update but it is for good reason. We will not confirm active labor, but we do have discharge that would suggest the count down to calf has begun!
Mammary development is on point and picture is in comments. We will keep everyone posted throughout the day with developments. Our team and Vet are on standby. We could be hours away or days - so do not stop your day - but certainly don't stop watching!
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdventurePark/
Animal Adventure Park
· 54 mins ·
4/3 Morning Update
This morning keeper report is no interest in grain and only smelling lettuce treats. No discomfort evident, no distress - normal progression as expected in the process. Many of you may have witnessed what appeared as "pushing" contractions last night. The team and vet were in communication regarding these and were documented throughout the night. Let's see if April's plan is to break up your work week!
Photo of current mammary development in comments.
GENDER REVEAL
Thank you to the many that have signed on for text alerts for Labor & Baby Announcements. After much discussion, we have decided the initial Gender Reveal will be made via our text alert system as soon as gender is observed post birth. This will be hours in advance of the media press releases.
The text alert system is 100% functioning at this time, and tech support is available to ensure you are in fact subscribed. Go to www.Aprilthegiraffe.com for how to subscribe or receive tech support.
The subscriptions thus far have allowed us to add a significant amount more to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation fund we are compiling. Your support will make a change - and for that we thank you!
Giraffe Factoid:
What was once thought to be (1) species with up to (9) subspecies - scientific study and trend is moving towards (4) distinct species of Giraffes:
Giraffes:
Masai Giraffe
Southern Giraffe - Subspecies: Southern African & Angolan
Northern Giraffe - Kordofan & Nubian & West African
Reticulated Giraffe
Pictured are April & Oliver - Reticulated Giraffes (though Oliver has some Northern appearance to him)
· 54 mins ·
4/3 Morning Update
This morning keeper report is no interest in grain and only smelling lettuce treats. No discomfort evident, no distress - normal progression as expected in the process. Many of you may have witnessed what appeared as "pushing" contractions last night. The team and vet were in communication regarding these and were documented throughout the night. Let's see if April's plan is to break up your work week!
Photo of current mammary development in comments.
GENDER REVEAL
Thank you to the many that have signed on for text alerts for Labor & Baby Announcements. After much discussion, we have decided the initial Gender Reveal will be made via our text alert system as soon as gender is observed post birth. This will be hours in advance of the media press releases.
The text alert system is 100% functioning at this time, and tech support is available to ensure you are in fact subscribed. Go to www.Aprilthegiraffe.com for how to subscribe or receive tech support.
The subscriptions thus far have allowed us to add a significant amount more to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation fund we are compiling. Your support will make a change - and for that we thank you!
Giraffe Factoid:
What was once thought to be (1) species with up to (9) subspecies - scientific study and trend is moving towards (4) distinct species of Giraffes:
Giraffes:
Masai Giraffe
Southern Giraffe - Subspecies: Southern African & Angolan
Northern Giraffe - Kordofan & Nubian & West African
Reticulated Giraffe
Pictured are April & Oliver - Reticulated Giraffes (though Oliver has some Northern appearance to him)
Animal Adventure Park
· 10 hrs ·
4/2 Evening Update - a long one
Keepers continue to report the same physical and behavioral observations. The giraffes did enjoy some outside time today, though April chose to enjoy the sunshine and air from her doorway.
Tonight we share some answers and feedback from the vet on questions he receives in public forums.
"Faking out Dr. Tim"
So the timeline for my 24-48 hour prediction is rapidly coming to an end... not surprising is the fact that we still have no calf and we still don't have a giraffe in Labor! Pretty much all of her clinical signs from a couple days ago are still true. She just isn't quite ready to give the world what it wants.
To answer a few question I have seen on the web in various places: no, she isn't late; no, she isn't overdue; no, I'm not concerned she is "taking so long", nor should you be. Yes she remains happy and comfortable (considering the circumstances). Yes, she will have this calf when she is good and ready. No, public outcry won't change that. No, I cannot induce her, nor should we want to... (those are human constructs which don't apply to large wild animals and only endanger the life of April and her calf )Yes, it will be awesome when the calf arrives. No, watching after April is not my only job. Yes, we have been watching her for a very long time... enjoy the <free> show people. Get more popcorn.
You all know how much I love to be wrong about my predictions, but such is life. I'll keep all posted and will let you know when the baby is on its way. It really shouldn't be much longer, I'm just not going to tell you my guesstimate anymore.
........
There you have it! It's a matter of time! We watch and wait ... still.
Www.aprilthegiraffealert.com
The IT team has responded to over 1,300 emails regarding processing concerns. Most should now have been addressed and the servers are beefed up and ready for the continued volume of subscriptions. Now is a good time to subscribe.
Photo by Dr Tim: April pretending to eat grain so I'll leave her alone
Animal Adventure Park
12 hrs ·
4/5 Evening Update
Long one
Corey noted some changes this evening. April's backend has some significant "bulging" occurring. [img]
[/img]
She was very "with it" but then became very distracted and as Corey put it, "would have walked right through me". Though sounding intimidating; this behavior is what we will see - consistently - when in active labor. She will walk through her strong contractions and push push push.
All else is well and fresh air and the outdoors was enjoyed at length today!
.....
Today's popular questions/concerns on April content we provide:
Www.aprilthegiraffe.com has all of our official page links. If it's not there, it's likely not ours!
Including the Giraffe Cam link!
Many have asked about the return of April the Giraffe plush at the online store! We will have some answers for you tomorrow on that! They prior plush is SOLD OUT, so if we list an item as limited, we aren't kidding - order quick! New clothing and bag designs are moving quick!
Store link:
http://www.wwsport.com/r/AprilTheGiraffe
If you haven't yet - we HIGHLY suggest subscribing for the Labor Alert & Baby Update text system. The tech team has caught up with most all questions and inquiries and are coming up with creative ways to share photos of the Labor/birth and baby photos of those first crucial moments of bonding, walking, nursing. We will be able to provide realtime updates from the giraffe barn! Even our staff that can't be in the barn is signed up for the alerts!
Subscribe at:
http://www.aprilthegiraffealert.com
What about me?
If you do not signup for text alerts, it does not mean you won't see the clips or photos eventually. You will! The text alert system simply allows us to provide real time updates to those that wish to have them! Why not Facebook? Because during labor - our phones and devices will be recording these awesome moments! The alerts are just another avenue to provide more content through another platform - for those April fans that can't get enough!
.......
Photo of April giving us that Giraffe Smile with those soft eyes, and ears perked. We can't wait for summer!
[img]
[/img]
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdventurePark/
12 hrs ·
4/5 Evening Update
Long one
Corey noted some changes this evening. April's backend has some significant "bulging" occurring. [img]
[/img]
She was very "with it" but then became very distracted and as Corey put it, "would have walked right through me". Though sounding intimidating; this behavior is what we will see - consistently - when in active labor. She will walk through her strong contractions and push push push.
All else is well and fresh air and the outdoors was enjoyed at length today!
.....
Today's popular questions/concerns on April content we provide:
Www.aprilthegiraffe.com has all of our official page links. If it's not there, it's likely not ours!
Including the Giraffe Cam link!
Many have asked about the return of April the Giraffe plush at the online store! We will have some answers for you tomorrow on that! They prior plush is SOLD OUT, so if we list an item as limited, we aren't kidding - order quick! New clothing and bag designs are moving quick!
Store link:
http://www.wwsport.com/r/AprilTheGiraffe
If you haven't yet - we HIGHLY suggest subscribing for the Labor Alert & Baby Update text system. The tech team has caught up with most all questions and inquiries and are coming up with creative ways to share photos of the Labor/birth and baby photos of those first crucial moments of bonding, walking, nursing. We will be able to provide realtime updates from the giraffe barn! Even our staff that can't be in the barn is signed up for the alerts!
Subscribe at:
http://www.aprilthegiraffealert.com
What about me?
If you do not signup for text alerts, it does not mean you won't see the clips or photos eventually. You will! The text alert system simply allows us to provide real time updates to those that wish to have them! Why not Facebook? Because during labor - our phones and devices will be recording these awesome moments! The alerts are just another avenue to provide more content through another platform - for those April fans that can't get enough!
.......
Photo of April giving us that Giraffe Smile with those soft eyes, and ears perked. We can't wait for summer!
[img]
[/img]
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdventurePark/
Animal Adventure Park
1 hr ·
4/6 Morning Update
"Shape of You"
Allysa's morning report is of significant change in April's shape. Her body/belly is much less beach balled, as the bulges have streamlined. Perhaps suggesting a new position of calf...we hope for launch sequence!
......
We can't help but feel each day and night, as we snap and post our photos and provide updates on body change and development of April, that we shouldn't have the song lyrics of Ed Sheeran's Shape of You looped and playing;
Every day discovering something brand new
I'm in love with your body
Oh—I—oh—I—oh—I—oh—I
I'm in love with your body
Of course the context is completely different, but no less obsessive in nature!
.....
We will be running a content test to our text subscribers this morning, to share some of these latest developments in photo form, to ensure all is in order for when baby photos are ready to be shared! Already subscribed? Great
Not certain you are or need help? http://www.aprilthegiraffealert.com/support.php
Want to subscribe?
http://www.aprilthegiraffealert.com/
Giraffe Factoid:
Typically a giraffe can eat up to 75lbs of food per day!
Giraffes spend almost their entire day (16-20 hours a day) eating! When not eating new food, they are chewing their cud (which we discussed in a recent prior factoid post).
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdventurePark/
[img]
[/img] [img]
[/img]
Animal Adventure Park
29 mins ·
4/12 Morning Update
All is well in the Giraffe Barn - doors are open and yard time has already begun! Physical body condition remains the same, comfort level has not changed, behavior is on point.
Today's photo is of the udder, to show mammary development.
For any hoaxers or #Fakenews stories questioning April and the pregnancy - a quick biology lesson - animals do not develop milk unless supporting a pregnancy. Furthermore - giraffes do not develop large udders like cattle etc, so to see this much development truly suggests calving in the near future.
Patience is a virtue! Remember, the Giraffe Cam was not set-up to capture an immediate birth - it was set-up to capture a process. Mind you, we did expect a calf sooner than this - but that is all part of the journey!
---------------------------------
Giraffe Factoid: Giraffe Milk -Does a Body Good
A baby giraffe's body! There was chatter at the beginning of the year about giraffe milk as a Super Food. We don't know about that but what we can cite is; a study in 1962 (yes it's old) showed that many vitamin levels in giraffe’s milk were the same as those in cow’s milk, but the levels of vitamin A, vitamin B12 and nicotinic acid were all higher in giraffe milk. Meanwhile, giraffe milk is much higher in fat than cow’s milk – 12.5 percent compared to 3.5 percent. All that fat might sound like a turnoff, but recent research has shown that higher levels of dairy fat can also lead to a lower risk of diabetes.
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdventurePark/
29 mins ·
4/12 Morning Update
All is well in the Giraffe Barn - doors are open and yard time has already begun! Physical body condition remains the same, comfort level has not changed, behavior is on point.
Today's photo is of the udder, to show mammary development.
For any hoaxers or #Fakenews stories questioning April and the pregnancy - a quick biology lesson - animals do not develop milk unless supporting a pregnancy. Furthermore - giraffes do not develop large udders like cattle etc, so to see this much development truly suggests calving in the near future.
Patience is a virtue! Remember, the Giraffe Cam was not set-up to capture an immediate birth - it was set-up to capture a process. Mind you, we did expect a calf sooner than this - but that is all part of the journey!
---------------------------------
Giraffe Factoid: Giraffe Milk -Does a Body Good
A baby giraffe's body! There was chatter at the beginning of the year about giraffe milk as a Super Food. We don't know about that but what we can cite is; a study in 1962 (yes it's old) showed that many vitamin levels in giraffe’s milk were the same as those in cow’s milk, but the levels of vitamin A, vitamin B12 and nicotinic acid were all higher in giraffe milk. Meanwhile, giraffe milk is much higher in fat than cow’s milk – 12.5 percent compared to 3.5 percent. All that fat might sound like a turnoff, but recent research has shown that higher levels of dairy fat can also lead to a lower risk of diabetes.
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdventurePark/
Watching her this morning it did look like she was less calm than when I've checked in on her before. And no, I don't watch her all day. I will check on her maybe 3-4 times a day. I never thought when I started this thread I would still be reporting on her 2 months later. But at this point I need to see it through. I'm traveling over the weekend, so I just know she'll decide to drop the calf just when I'm out of contact.
I know others are interested as well as the thread has 14508 views. So we'll continue to travel on this trip with April hopefully reaching our destination very soon.
Animal Adventure Park
2 hrs ·
4/13. Morning Update
She is "out of it" were keepers comments this morning; noting distracted behavior versus her normal inquisitive, treat begging, self. Significant bulging of the belly also noted.
Backend slightly damp but nothing to get excited about yet. We are still observing light discharge on a daily basis.
Cool morning temperatures will delay yard time, but this afternoon we expect to do a Q&A session from the giraffe deck with Oliver.
We haven't done a Q&A in a bit of time.
So, please submit questions you may have in the comments of this post and we will address some of them!
We welcomed a muntjac deer fawn yesterday! This tiny little critter is by far one of the cutest offspring we've observed. Pictures will post once mom and baby settle in.
-----------
Giraffe Factoid: the Buffet line starts here
Giraffes have been described as browsers. Unlike grazing (grass-eating) herbivores, which consume relatively uniform feeds, wild giraffe choose their diet from an assortment of foods that are very different in nutritive content. In captive management programs, fresh browse, quality hay, and Mazuri Wild Herbivore pellet diet, hits all of the nutritional needs of Giraffes to ensure a comfortable and increased longevity.
Photo from This Morning
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdventurePark/
2 hrs ·
4/13. Morning Update
She is "out of it" were keepers comments this morning; noting distracted behavior versus her normal inquisitive, treat begging, self. Significant bulging of the belly also noted.
Backend slightly damp but nothing to get excited about yet. We are still observing light discharge on a daily basis.
Cool morning temperatures will delay yard time, but this afternoon we expect to do a Q&A session from the giraffe deck with Oliver.
We haven't done a Q&A in a bit of time.
So, please submit questions you may have in the comments of this post and we will address some of them!
We welcomed a muntjac deer fawn yesterday! This tiny little critter is by far one of the cutest offspring we've observed. Pictures will post once mom and baby settle in.
-----------
Giraffe Factoid: the Buffet line starts here
Giraffes have been described as browsers. Unlike grazing (grass-eating) herbivores, which consume relatively uniform feeds, wild giraffe choose their diet from an assortment of foods that are very different in nutritive content. In captive management programs, fresh browse, quality hay, and Mazuri Wild Herbivore pellet diet, hits all of the nutritional needs of Giraffes to ensure a comfortable and increased longevity.
Photo from This Morning
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAdventurePark/