April’s Journey

April’s JourneyOn Tuesday, April 18, a trip to the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, N.Y. revealed that 15-year-old April, the giraffe, and her male calf were settling in nicely and were both reported as healthy. Pictured, is April’s newborn calf. (Photo by Wendy Post)

April’s Journey

April’s Journey
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On Tuesday, April 18, a trip to the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, N.Y. revealed that 15-year-old April, the giraffe, and her male calf were settling in nicely and were both reported as healthy. Pictured, is April’s newborn calf. (Photo by Wendy Post)

Whether it was a diversion from politics, a curiosity, a motherly instinct or just a plain old obsession, the giraffe cam launched by Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, N.Y. captured viewers from around the world as it streamed, live, the birth of a male giraffe calf.

On April 15, over one million viewers on YouTube settled in for the morning to watch 15-year-old April as she endured a little over two hours of labor and delivered her male calf. Another live feed that was launched on Facebook by the park’s owner, Jordan Patch, gave viewers a close up of the birthing process and then the interaction that followed with the calf’s mother, April, and the bull that fathered him, 5-year-old Oliver.

But the tuning in didn’t stop there! Social media groups were launched around the world, such as April’s Unity, to keep those who watched April’s journey connected – even after the giraffe cam was taken offline.

We followed April along her journey to learn more about the species, the park and the birthing process, and then a follow up on April, Oliver and the calf; we shared these stories and photos with our own readership. Here, we are sharing the highlights of April’s journey.

Animal Adventure Park

The Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville opened in June of 2013 with its sight set on conservation and the rescue and rehabilitation of wild and exotic animals. To date, the facility cares for over 200 animals of 80 different species – to include April and her mate, five-year-old Oliver, and now the newly born calf.

The park opened as a small operation, with the owners taking in rescues from research facilities and slaughterhouses. Law enforcement also works with the park when exotic animals are seized. 

Patch launched the live stream of April the Giraffe on YouTube in February to allow viewers from around the world to take part in April’s birthing process. But little did Patch know how many would tune in to the birth.

By the time the birth was taking place on April 15, the giraffe cam went from 324,029 viewers and soared to 1,044,016 by the time the calf, a boy, was delivered at 9:53 a.m. and following a little over two hours of labor and contractions.

And now, a week following the birth, the park has disengaged the giraffe cam as it readies for a May 13 opening; an opening that is anticipated to draw record numbers to the park.

Patch has also launched a naming contest for the calf at nameaprilscalf.com, with voting anticipated to end on May 1 and a name announced. Each vote has a cost of $1.

According to the park, any money raised will be divided between giraffe conservation in the wild, giraffe care at Animal Adventure, and Ava’s Little Heroes annual fundraiser. There will be a total of six selected for the social-media naming contest.

Patch’s daughter, Ava, was born with a brain condition that causes seizures and spasms. In August 2016, the first fundraiser, Ava’s Little Heroes, was held at the park in Harpursville.

You can learn more about the park, its upcoming events, and about Ava’s Little Heroes by visiting http://theanimaladventurepark.com/.

The Birth

Following close to two months of live streaming of the giraffe cam, a text alert system was set up to notify viewers when April was in actual labor.

Because the park acquired April and the bull, Oliver, in September 2015, it was difficult for them to pinpoint the actual date that April would deliver her calf. A giraffe’s gestation period is typically 15 months.

The owners, however, continued to take extra special care of April during her pregnancy. In addition to the logs kept to track the temperatures in the giraffe pen, rubber mats were installed under the extra bedding in anticipation of the live birth.

The main diet for April and Oliver consists of nutrient rich hay provided by Mazuri Animal Nutrition, and carrots and romaine lettuce as a snack.

April’s veterinarian, Tim, from Owego, N.Y., was on site daily to keep track of April’s progress throughout the late term of the pregnancy, as well as the staff who were also keeping track of any changed behaviors and physical developments.

And then at 7:37 a.m. on Saturday, April 15, the text alert arrived to notify those signed up that April was in active labor. On Facebook, the park’s owner was already on a Live Feed as he hurried to get to the park. The excitement shown by Patch in the feed was that of an expectant father.

By 7:59 a.m., 501,569 viewers were watching the Giraffe Cam, with the number doubling by the time of the actual birth.

There were two hooves visible at the time of labor, and this remained the case until approximately 9:31 a.m. when the contractions were getting more frequent, and you could see April pushing a little harder. At that point, there were close to one million watching the Giraffe Cam, and over 80,000 watching a separate live video stream by Patch on Facebook.

By 9:37 a.m., the calf’s head appeared as April continued the birthing process, and by 9:52 a.m. the head and front hooves were visible, with April cleaning the calf throughout the process.

By 9:53 a.m., and after one final push, April delivered her 129-pound calf.

At that point, the site’s sponsor, Toys”R”Us, was switched to Babies”R”Us, signifying the long awaited birth of April’s calf.

Oliver, throughout the birthing process, was pacing and reacting to the associated smells. As Patch had stated in an interview a while back, the bull, Oliver, doesn’t really care that there is a baby – he just wants to make another one.

For April, she spent her time, following the birth, cleaning the calf – which was trying to stand within minutes following the birth. The calf, however, was not successful at standing up until 10:42 a.m.

At 12:57 p.m., the park announced that April’s calf is a boy. For 15-year-old April, the new calf is her fourth. For five-year-old Oliver, it’s his first calf.

And the interactions of the nursing calf with April and Oliver continued on the live stream for one week, at which time Patch made a decision to pull it in order to allow the staff to prepare for the park’s opening; a decision that prompted the creation of various social media groups, like April’s Unity, that will enable the giraffe watch to continue.

In several posts in April’s Unity, a social media group on Facebook, members are already stating that they will miss watching the live cam. Others are planning trips to visit the park upon its opening.

Either way, the birth of the giraffe captured the hearts of many from around the world, and was a once in a lifetime experience for most.

What’s Next

With the live stream down, and the park getting ready for a May 13 opening, the conservation efforts set with the birth of April’s calf continue.

According to the park’s owner April will wean her offspring, possibly up to 15 months, and will then be relocated to another breeding facility. Patch stated that they have to do this for preservation and conservation reasons, as keeping it could lead to in breeding.

On Tuesday, April 18, a trip to the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, N.Y. revealed that April and her male calf were settling in nicely and were both reported as healthy.

On the park’s Facebook page on Monday, they wrote, “Calf continues to grow stronger! We experienced a 1-1 1/2 lb weight gain over night. He is quite spunky and independent; perhaps he takes after his father. He also has his inquisitive and friendly moments of engaging keepers with the genuine nature of his mother. We are smitten.”

The park was also preparing, on Tuesday, for the anticipated numbers that will arrive in Harpursville, N.Y. on opening day.

Near the parking area, Conestoga Builders out of New Holland, Pa. was constructing a new guest services building.

According to Brandon Posnick, a sales representative with Conestoga Builders, the 40×50 building is nearing completion and another 30×40 building will be constructed next to it.

Posnick stated that they started the building two years ago when the owner’s knew that April and Oliver would be arriving at the park.

In the giraffe pen, April and her calf continue to bond, with April and Oliver going outdoors on the warmer days. Patch also noted on Tuesday that the calf is interacting with Oliver as well, which was unexpected.

Patch also talked about the calf, stating that he gained most of his weight immediately following his birth, and that his weight has now stabilized.

As for nursing, Patch said that the calf would go hours without eating, and then would nurse for about 20 minutes.

And the media attention gained by the park has drawn interviews from CNN, the BBC, Good Morning America and others.

Because of this media attention, it is hard to predict the numbers that will arrive upon the park’s opening in Harpursville, N.Y.

Why the Attention?

For those who have been following April’s journey, the question as to why is probably far removed. And for others, they are not quite sure what the hype is all about.

We may never know why the giraffe in the park gained such a following, but for many on social media it is clear – the giraffe offered an outlet for people to unite.

In one post, a woman named Betty Brown stated, “I just [love] looking at them – gives me peaceful and loving thoughts and emotions.”

On April’s Unity, a woman from Rhode Island summed things up, stating, “The world is so negative and ugly – on any given day we are virtually bombarded with social media and news reports brimming with horrific examples of people hurting people, people hurting animals, idiot politicians, you name it. It’s hard not to be scared for the future when there appears to be so much hate and ugliness.”

She added, “It’s hard not to be bitter when we simply scroll through Facebook. April brought love, light and unity to so many. We watched her for hours on end. She seemed to know we were there. Sleepless nights were just a little sweeter with YouTube streaming our expectant mama. We waited with baited breath for every single update, live chat, and photo. We stared at mammaries and hoohahs and celebrated every change.”

And it wasn’t just women who were following the live birth, there were men chiming in as well.

Was it a needed diversion to draw the focus off of politics, or was it a curiosity for many? We may never know.

What we do know is that this small animal park in Harpursville, N.Y. has gained in popularity, and the birthing process was one small step towards conservation; which is their goal.

According to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the giraffe has moved from ‘least concern’ to ‘vulnerable’ in the newly released International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.

They noted that widespread across southern and eastern Africa, with smaller isolated populations in west and central Africa, new population surveys estimate an overall decline of up to 40 percent in the global giraffe population over the last 30 years.

The foundation, along with others, is working to maintain the species and bring awareness of their efforts to communities around the world.

Animal Adventure Park maintains a mission to assist in conservation efforts of the species, among others.

You can learn more by visiting their website at www.animaladventurepark.com. There, you will also find information on upcoming events, activities and efforts. You can also learn more on Saturday, June 17, when Animal Adventure Park will bring information and live animals to Owego’s Strawberry Festival from noon to 2 p.m. They will be set up in the Chemung Canal Trust lot on Main Street.

13 Comments on "April’s Journey"

  1. This experience the birth of April and Oliver calf brought hope to many. People with medical problems that are house bound looking out a window see a few ft ahead. But April took them beyond through a world of love and hope for the future. Many of us daily get up am hi to work or school or both come home housework take children places like sports help with homework etc you get my drift. Routine. We may sit and listen to music or read a book if we have time but always dream of a fantasy vacation where peace beauty and something different from our routine. April Oliver and baby g gave us that. A person with anxiety depression looks for one thing to carry them through to the next day. April Oliver and baby g gave them that. In April unity group we are supportive of each other. Positive ! Many of us are planning to visit and ones to far away Ireland Australia etc we will share our experiences. Yes April Oliver and baby g brought a world together by just being their selves

  2. Well said Beth, and we’ll all Miss them and be waiting to hear how all of them are doing along with the little one’s name.
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY APRIL….we love you!

  3. A lovely article u have perfectly judged all our thoughts April is a ray of sunshine in an ever more murky world God bless her X oliver X baby boy

  4. Paige Harden Kolm | April 22, 2017 at 10:30 am | Reply

    Very well written and a beautiful memoir of the adventure.

  5. Maureen Hendricks | April 22, 2017 at 11:54 am | Reply

    Very accurate and wonderfully written article!

  6. The article is wonderful and love the timeline.
    Jordan and AAP family’s passion was contagious, their love for animals unforgettable, their professionalism and patience admired, bar none. It was truly an unforgettable and amazing journey.

  7. It was a beautiful experience–to watch the birth. What a wonderful thing to happen in our part of the world! I would like to see the baby named Harpur for where he was born. Then no matter where in the world he lands up everyone would know from where he came.

  8. Beautifully written story of the amazing journey we all shared!! As someone who suffers from depression and anxiety as well as insomnia it made life just a little bit easier sleepless nights a little less stressful watching this beautiful family and being able to be apart of the birth of Aprils baby boy!! This is a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget and will cherish forever and I am very thankful that Animal Adventure Park allowed all of us to be a part of!! I will miss watching our beautiful little family on a daily/nightly basis but will continue to follow their progress and hope to visit the park soon!!

  9. This was such a blessing, and comfort to watch. I thank the sponsor for allowing us the gift of seeing this intimate, rarely seen (at least by myself) miracle

    Nature performing perfectly…Without people intervening (much). It was a confirmation that no matter how surreal, and scary this nation becomes, nature will go on with or without the ridiculous homo sapiens doing our best to muck it all up! I’m so grateful there are a few out there paying attention to the really important events. Giraffe baybeeeees!! <3 <3 <3

  10. Donna McGregor | April 22, 2017 at 2:29 pm | Reply

    Was truly a once in a lifetime experience for all of us who watched daily. I have to believe that no matter what the baby’s name ends up being that the park that he goes to will keep the name and he will become a celebrity drawing crowds there to see him. I do hope Alyssa gets to choose a name as the bond between her and April and now baby is very evident to all that have watched and regardless of all the other names, I will cross my fingers and hope she gets to choose. Alot of pressure on her but she deserves it.

  11. I so enjoyed your article. As I read the article it brought back the emotions that I experienced through this process. I saw the smiling faces of the staff and the obvious incredible connection with Alyssa. This experience allowed me to get away from all things negative. This morning I watched a few videos of giraffes in the wild giving birth while defending the just born from predators, it was heart wrenching. But knowing that April was safe, happy and healthy just proved another reason conservation is so very important. I will never be able to see them in person, but I have no doubt their lives will be fulfilled and content. I thank you for guiding me through the journey again.

  12. Sandra Anderson | April 22, 2017 at 8:32 pm | Reply

    Well said going to miss April and family but at least we know more of the work the park is trying to achieve and so looking forward to the updates

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