April the giraffe should give birth SOON: Zoo announces ‘We are in the home stretch'
APRIL the giraffe is finally hitting the 'home stretch' of her 15-month pregnancy and could give birth at any moment, according to the latest update from her zoo.
Behind the scenes tour of April the giraffe's barn
Millions of people around the world are hooked on the YouTube live stream of the pregnant giraffe waiting to give birth at Animal Adventure Park in upstate New York.
Last night the Animal Adventure Park sparked excitement by telling April’s fans: “Keep watching - we are in the home stretch!”
In an evening update, the zoo said that April the giraffe’s behaviour has changed and her udders have filled up with milk to feed the newborn calf.
April the giraffe is finally hitting the home stretch of her 15-month-long pregnancy
It said: “It was clear to all watching, the evening keeper check was cut short by April. Her behavior is very off from normal demeanor; this is to be expected. It should not be much longer!”
The heavily pregnant giraffe seems to have been feeling particularly grumpy this week and even tried to kick her vet on Monday.
The zoo said: “April's attitude is good, though she did strike at (and miss) the vet again - we just think she was giving him a hoof (hand) out the door.”
Fans and zookeepers alike became very excited yesterday when April’s vet Dr Tim revealed she “was showing signs of birth”.
Keep watching - we are in the home stretch!
Dr Tim said: “Ok Gang... if you have been watching today, you should start getting excited… We are seeing almost all the signs of birth happening within the coming days.”
A team of staff and a vet are being kept on standby for the crucial moment that everyone has been waiting for.
Giraffes are pregnant for 15 months and babies weigh around 150 pounds
The possibility of April finally giving birth has saddened some of her fans. One person tweeted: “I adore her - will miss watching her.”
Another person added: “I am so emotionally invested in April the giraffe's life... #AprilTheGiraffe.”
Zookeepers began expecting the baby earlier this week when her udders filled up with milk to feed her baby.
Fans of the viral giraffe couple are waiting impatiently for the moment of birth
April’s carers announced: “We are getting there!”
The 15 month pregnancy will end when April gives birth to her fourth calf - a six-foot long baby weighing around 150 pounds.