April the Giraffe Is on the Move: Zoo Says Moms Pace a Lot Before and During Birth

What to Know

April has captivated tens of millions of people across the world who have been checking in on her via the live stream
Giraffe pregnancies last up to 15 months; labor lasts anywhere from a few hours to a few days
The calf will be the first born at Animal Adventure Park, and the zoo says it will hold a contest to name it once it arrives

April is on the move.

Animal Adventure Park, the upstate New York zoo live-streaming the giraffe's pregnancy for millions of curious viewers around the world over the last month and a half, said late Sunday April has been moving around a lot more.

"Our big girl seems to be moving around quite a bit. That is a good thing," the zoo said in its latest Facebook update on the long-neck beauty. "Moms will get very 'pacey' before and during birth. We will see if it is any indication as to what is to come."

The mother is about to welcome her fourth calf, and she finally enjoyed some much-needed time outside after weeks of only standing in her doorway. tje zoo said.

"April enjoyed yard time today," Animal Adventure Park wrote in its Sunday night update. "We have opened her door for weeks and she has only stood in the doorway; but today - of all days - she ventured out."

After weeks of wrong predictions, April still hasn't given birth, but her calf is making an appearance -- through the side of her belly.

Her keepers at Animal Adventure Park report they saw "major movement and bulging of the belly, noting the left side - appeared to have a leg, joint, neck or something sticking out!"

The zoo wrote on Facebook that the week promises warmer temperatures and a full moon, which may "shake things up." But we've heard that one before.

Not much had changed physically by Monday morning and the zoo said it didn't anticipate more dramatic changes in April's appearance.

"We are waiting for increased pacing to indicate an active labor situation has begun, in addition to pushing/contractions. So, be watchful of behavioral changes!" the Monday morning Facebook update read.

More than 133,000 people were tuned into the live stream at 8:30 a.m. Monday as April stood in her darkened pen, pacing around but declining to go outside, though the door remained invitingly open. Her 5-year-old beau Oliver, meanwhile (soon-to-be first-time dad), looked on with interest. An hour or so later, 165,000 were watching as April stood at the door to her pen, apparently indecisive about whether to venture outside.

Watch the live stream below.

When April goes into active labor, the baby's front hoofs will be the first to come out, followed by the snout, the zoo says.

Mom will naturally raise the calf on her own, and weaning could take between six to 10 months, maybe even longer -- the zoo says it won't rush the process. Once weaning is over, the baby giraffe will move on to another facility to start a breeding program there.

"We cannot retain offspring, as it would lead to incestuous mating and undermine the genetics of the program and species," the zoo says.

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April's pregnancy was catapulted into global headlines late last month after YouTube briefly yanked the zoo's stream following complaints by animal activists that it violated the site's policies concerning "nudity and sexual content." Thousands upon thousands of commenters voiced their frustration on Facebook and YouTube, and the stream was restored within an hour or so.

Jordan Patch, owner of the Animal Adventure Park, says the natural curiosity surrounding giraffes and their birthing process has been a huge factor in drawing crowds.

"I think the fact that she's a giraffe and she's a neat species that people are interested in, that's fostered a lot of the attention," he said. "The fact that you're gonna get to witness the miracle of birth from an animal that you really don't get to see give birth — that's neat."

He added that April's pregnancy is not just live entertainment, but a teachable moment and source for education. This is the zoo's first giraffe calf.

Three Baby Giraffes Born at Six Flags in New Jersey as Giraffe Pregnancy Captivates World

Giraffe pregnancies last up to 15 months. Labor lasts anywhere from a few hours to a few days. The calf, which will be the first born at Animal Adventure Park, will be about 150 pounds and 6 feet tall at birth and up and walking in about an hour.