HARPURSVILLE, N.Y. — UPDATE 3/17: Zookeepers at Animal Adventure Park say that the giraffe’s pregnancy is moving along. They say that she is “posturing” a bit which is keeping them on their toes.
“Keeper report is increased swelling in the backend and significant baby kicks from within. Vet reports all is well and no reason for concern. April is posturing quite a bit which is keeping us on our toes! We will see what the weekend brings.
Today was spent digging paths for keepers to access exhibits, for animals to access watering stations and more yard space, and clearing roadways for fuel deliveries etc.We have to thank the handful of individuals that assisted in this process. Thank you for making our animals lives better, and keeper work -a touch easier under the conditions.
Tomorrow I encourage you to offer a random act of kindness. Pay it forward as they say! I know I am.
Here are a few shots from the park and what Stella left behind.”
UPDATE 3/14: Zookeepers reported “no significant changes” Tuesday evening but believe “we are at the end of the pregnancy.”
The post read:
We remain in a holding pattern. No significant change from this morning or last night, though all signs are still present – suggesting we are at the end of the pregnancy. Slight discharge, swelling, pulsing, etc. Keepers reported that baby is very active this evening. April remains in STELLAr (did you get that snowstorm joke) condition.
We remain under the attack of Snowstorm Stella. All animals are safe and comfortable, keepers remain on site this evening to continue to ensure proper conditions.
An exact date and time of when April will be giving birth is still not known.
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April the giraffe continues to have “significant changes” as she gets closer to giving birth to her fourth calf, officials at Animal Adventure Park said.
“Her back end has become significantly larger and relaxed, motion and pulsing in this area has been noted, and discharge has been observed,” officials said on Facebook on Monday night.
“Ladies and gentlemen — we are close. We are still not confirming active labor, but will state all physical signs are headed in the right direction.”
On Tuesday morning, park officials said April remained in the same condition as Monday night as a blizzard approached the upstate New York park, reports KDVR.
Officials said the storm likely would disrupt the live stream signal that has been going since Feb. 23 showing April preparing to give birth and drawing worldwide attention.
Another issue with the storm is clean-up. The folks at Animal Adventure Park have reached out to all of their new Facebook fans to ask for some help with the storm is over, “Once the snow stops, and travel is safe, we will need some helping hands and backs! If you know a zookeeper, farmer, rancher, or any outdoor professional during this storm – thank them for their efforts!”
This will be April’s fourth calf and the first for the father, Oliver. The calf will weigh around 150 pounds and be approximately 6 feet tall at birth.
The video was initially removed after animal rights activists flagged the videos as “sexually explicit” before being restored.
The zoo has also launched a GoFundMe campaign to offset the annual care of the giraffes and has also established a website for April.
