Autumn the Giraffe on Verge of Giving Birth

Any day (or minute) now.

With literally hundreds of thousands of folks here in the Upstate and abroad keeping track via Internet cam, Autumn the Giraffe appears to be close to delivering her baby.

After a 15-month gestation period, signs are that the six-year-old Masai giraffe at the Greenville Zoo could deliver a calf any time now, according to zoo veterinarian Dr. Heather Miller.

“She's showing all of the signs and we're definitely getting close,” Miller told WYFF.

Want to see it? The zoo is livestreaming Autumn and the impending birth 24/7 via the Internet on EarthCam.

So far, nearly a quarter-million people worldwide have viewed Autumn via the webcam, Miller said.

"There are people from as far away as Australia and Japan watching the livestream in hopes of seeing Autumn's calf enter the world. Many fans say they are actually losing sleep so they won't miss the birth," WYFF's report said.

Autumn and her mate, Walter, are at the zoo on a breeding loan. Autumn came from the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston. Walter came from the San Diego Zoo.

When the baby is born, it won't be hard to spot. Infant giraffes typically stand around 6-feet tall and can weigh between 120-150 pounds.

"It is a proud moment for the entire zoo staff when there is successful breeding with endangered animals," said Greenville Zoo director Jeff Bullock. "We will proceed cautiously as this is her first calf, and we want to do everything possible to make sure all goes well for Autumn and her baby."

Zoo staff hope that Autumn will give birth while she is on daytime exhibit — giving mother plenty of space to pace and give birth, and space for the baby to find its legs and quickly get up and walking. If she gives birth at night, staff have set up two stalls with plenty of mulch to soften the baby's arrival.

Meantime, the staff has been seeing to it that Walter and Autumn have significant periods of separation. Once the calf is born, they will be separated for weeks — to ensure time for mother and calf to bond, and time for the calf to gain strength "to endure the curiosity of his father." 

Staff will also want to ensure that Autumn is alone so she can focus on the birth, without interference from Walter.