Remember April the giraffe and her controversial calf birth video, which caused quite an uproar in February? For those who do not know, Animal Adventure Park owner Jordan Patch live streamed April's birthing process on YouTube.
The video, which got 30 million views within 12 hours of broadcast, was pulled down by YouTube after several animal rights activists complained against the video being sexually explicit and containing nudity.
April, in that birth video, did not deliver a healthy giraffe calf and is still expecting. Latest reports say that she is doing great and will be welcoming her fourth calf into the world in a few days.
April And Her Baby
The hurdle from animal right activists notwithstanding, Patch has continued with the live stream and till March 11 there were 72,000 people who were watching April and waiting patiently for the big moment when she gives birth.
However, April's keepers have reported that there have been no "significant changes" in her physical appearance and an exact date for her delivery cannot be zeroed in as of now.
With this delivery, 15-year-old April will be giving birth to her fourth calf. However, it will be the first for her giraffe mate Oliver who is 5 years old. People are hopeful of the baby's arrival, and the keepers have been getting ready for the delivery after a "kicking movement" was noticed in April's belly on March 10.
A photo was posted by Animal Adventure Park showing wax caps put under April's belly to seal the colostrum in the udder, as well as to make sure that there will be milk for the calf's first nursing.
"April continues to be in great condition. Wax caps are present and udder appears to possibly have more content — another few days of comparative photo will confirm changes," wrote Animal Adventure Park official's on their official Facebook page.
Vets have observed that April's appetite had been good, and her unborn calf again showed movement inside her belly on March 12. However, the vets and the keepers noticed that her active baby and the sudden cold weather had made April anxious and edgy in recent weeks.
April And Her Pregnancy
April has gathered quite a few followers worldwide after she shot into limelight with her YouTube childbirth video. Patch says that April's popularity can be credited to natural human curiosity over a giraffe's childbirth, which can seldom be seen.
Patch added that other than entertainment, April's birth video process is very educational. He has also launched an online contest of naming April's fourth giraffe calf once it is born.
To see April and her unborn calf live, watch the live stream video below.