April the Giraffe finally gives birth at New York zoo…two months after critics claimed her pregnancy was a ‘hoax’

THIS is the heartwarming moment a giraffe at a US zoo gave birth – two months after critics branded her pregnancy a ‘hoax’.

Before an online audience of more than a million viewers, April the giraffe delivered her calf today at a New York zoo.

The 15-year-old giraffe brought her calf into the world shortly before 10am local time in an enclosed pen at the zoo in Harpursville, about 130 miles north-west of New York City.

After birthing, the mother tenderly licked her calf which began to slowly pick its head up, before standing on its wobbly legs some 45 minutes later.

At least 1.2million people watched the Adventure Park's YouTube streaming of the event.

Ending the live video of the enclosure, one keeper said: "There you have it, guys. We have a baby! So, we're going to let mum and baby do their thing for a little bit.

"Everything went absolutely perfect. Couldn't have planned it better. Perfect delivery, perfect fall. Baby's already nibbling on Mom wanting to nurse – it's hungry.

"As soon as we know gender and so forth, we'll make sure we let everybody know."

This is April's fourth calf – but Animal Adventure Park's first giraffe calf.

The proud first-time father, a 5-year-old giraffe named Oliver, watched from an adjacent pen.

The privately owned zoo began livestreaming from April's enclosure in February, with people around the world tuning in daily.

The media attention caused April to shoot to fame, but with so many people waiting so long to see her calf, some claimed the pregnancy was a hoax or April Fool's joke.

A contest will be held to decide on a name for the calf.

No immediate details on the calf were announced, but they usually weigh around 10-stone and are about 6ft-tall at birth. Giraffes are pregnant for 15 months on average.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368.