Instagram Sensation April the Giraffe Dead at 20

April, the giraffe that went viral after a rural New York zoo live-streamed her pregnancy and birth in 2017 was euthanized on Friday due to advancing arthritis, according to the zoo.

(Photo : Screenshot from ABC News Youtube Channel)

Worrying Health Situation

According to the zoo's veterinarians, the 20-year-old giraffe began exhibiting mobility issues last summer, and veterinary imaging revealed she had arthritis in her feet and issues in her left hind leg. They pointed out that even big animals like giraffes will succumb to arthritis easily.

They used joint supplements, pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, padded flooring, lifestyle adjustments, and hoof trimming to attempt and delay the disease's development. Still, April's strength tended to deteriorate, and she had to spend more time lying down. The vets said that imaging in March revealed "significant and progressing degeneration" in her lower leg joints.

April's Life

The life expectancy of giraffes varies. In 2019, a zoo giraffe in Knoxville, Tennessee, said to be the country's oldest, was euthanized at the age of 31.

April drew a large online following in 2017 when giving birth to her fourth calf at the zoo in Harpursville, a village about 130 miles north of New York City. With more than 232 million views and 7.6 billion minutes of live watch time over many months, the giraffe cam is the second most-watched Livestream in YouTube history, at least at the time.

At least 1.2 million people watched as the male calf, Tajiri, was born in April, as the name suggests.

For the treatment of April, her mate, and the cow, an online fundraiser effort raised more than $150,000. Other ventures brought revenue to the zoo, including a Toys' R' Us sponsorship of the YouTube feed, monetized text messages, and a clothing collection. According to the owners, it will be used for zoo upkeep, habitat restoration in Africa, and local children with unexpected medical expenses.

Taking Care of April

(Photo : Screenshot from Animal Adventure Park Youtube Channel )

Patch said Friday, "April's effect on animal welfare and recognition is both immeasurable and permanent."

People for the Fair Care of Animals, on the other hand, chastised the zoo for making April's breeding a viral cause.

Dr. Heather Rally, the animal-rights organization's supervising veterinarian, said, "The irony here isn't that April died - it's that she never experienced a life without gawking fans or Livestream cameras."

In March 2019, April had another calf, Azizi, with over 300,000 viewers watching live on YouTube. Last October, he died at a zoo in Texas.

According to Animal Adventure Park, following his birth, she was placed on contraception and forced to leave the breeding program.

Giraffe's Reproductive Capabilities

Giraffe mating is mainly polygamous, with only a few dominant males competing for fertile females. You may not be aware of specific fascinating details about giraffe reproduction.

Giraffe breeding season will take place at any time of the year. On the other hand, births in the wild are more common during the dry season, while births in captivity will occur at any time. In captivity, giraffes achieve sexual maturity at about 3-4 years old, but males in the wild do not typically reproduce until they are 6-7 years old. Females must be physically bigger than males to bear offspring in comparison to the male breeding period.