HARPURSVILLE, N.Y. (AP) - The Latest on the birth of a giraffe calf while fans watched the livestream (all times local):
5:05 p.m.
The private New York zoo whose pregnant giraffe became an internet sensation says April the giraffe’s newborn calf is a male.
April gave birth shortly before 10 a.m. EDT Saturday at Adventure Park in rural Harpursville, about 130 miles (209 kilometers) northwest of New York City. At least 1.2 million people watched the zoo’s YouTube livestream during the birth.
Adventure park owner Jordan Patch says mother and calf are both doing fine. The calf was walking and nursing not long after its birth.
Dad Oliver is in an adjacent pen checking in frequently on his calf.
The zoo began livestreaming from April’s enclosure in February.
The park is currently closed to the public and will open in mid-May.
It is planning a naming contest for the calf.
___
10 a.m.
April the giraffe has given birth at a New York zoo as more than a million people around the world watched live.
The 15-year-old giraffe delivered her calf Saturday in an enclosed pen at the zoo in Harpursville, a rural upstate village about 130 miles (209 kilometers) northwest of New York City.
At least 1.2 million people watched the Adventure Park’s YouTube stream.
This is April’s fourth calf, but Animal Adventure Park’s first giraffe calf. The proud papa is a 5-year-old giraffe named Oliver.
The privately owned zoo began livestreaming from April’s enclosure in February. People around the world have been tuning in daily.
April has her own website and even an apparel line.
The zoo says it will have a contest to decide on a name for the calf.
___
8:55 a.m.
A New York zoo’s livestream video of its pregnant giraffe is showing her giving birth.
Adventure Park’s YouTube streaming of 15-year-old April the giraffe is capturing the moment live.
A zoo spokesperson says the delivery could take all day Saturday.
Typically, the front hooves appear first followed by the snout.
The YouTube livestream shows more than 600,000 were watching the blessed event Saturday morning. Millions have viewed the livestream since it started in late February.
The calf is expected to weigh about 150 pounds (68.04 kilograms) and be about 6 feet (1.83 meters) tall.
Once the calf is born, the Harpursville zoo in upstate New York will have a contest to name it.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.