HARPURSVILLE, N.Y. — April the Giraffe, who captivated the internet during her pregnancy four years ago, has died, zoo officials said Friday. She was 20.
Animal Adventure Park in upstate New York announced April’s death. The animal was euthanized due to worsening osteoarthritis, which was discovered in July 2020, WETM reported.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that Animal Adventure Park announces the tremendous loss of our beloved April the Giraffe,” park officials said on its Facebook page. “We grieve with her many fans, near and far, as we say goodbye to the giraffe that can be credited with making a foothold for giraffe and giraffe conservation awareness in the 21st century.”
It is with the heaviest of hearts that Animal Adventure Park announces the tremendous loss of our beloved April the...
Posted by Animal Adventure Park on Friday, April 2, 2021
The giraffe became a viral sensation during her pregnancy in 2017. Officials at Animal Adventure Park began live streaming April in her pen, and the giraffe gave birth on April 15, 2017, to a baby calf that stood 5.75 feet tall and weighed 129 pounds.
The park’s YouTube live stream of April’s labor attracted more than 232 million views, WETM reported.
April’s body was taken to Cornell University Veterinary School, where she will be cremated, the television station reported. Her remains will be returned to Animal Adventure Park.
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