A Giraffe at a New York Zoo is drawing millions of online views waiting for it to give birth.
This update from the Animal Adventure Park on 3/24: Morning Update: All is well in Giraffe Land. Nothing beyond the normal to report. As I update, significant kicks and movements occurring on April's left side.
Some notes from the Animal Adventure Park:
- They have some of the biggest pens in the nation (sq ft per animal). The park says, "we take pride in our indoor housing and the level of enrichment and care to keep them happy and healthy."
- The calf will weigh around 150lb and will be about 6' tall at birth.
- The front hooves will come out first followed by the snout. Mom will naturally raise the calf, with weaning could take between 6-10 months, maybe longer.
- The park claims staffers will not rush this process – it is just a documented range of captive weaning.
- Once the calf is born, the park will have a contest to name it.
- The keepers will go in with April, clean her pen, give her treats.
- Giraffes are pregnant for 15 months.
- Upon naturally weaning, the calf will move on to another facility to start a breeding program there.
