April in New York

When we tell people we are from New York, the inevitable next question is “Where in New York?”, most expecting to hear something about New York City or Long Island.  We usually answer that we live near Binghamton in Central New York not far from the Pennsylvania border.

What we SHOULD say is that we are from April the Giraffe’s hometown.  Maybe you were like me about a year ago, one of millions obsessively watching the Giraffe Cam awaiting the birth of April’s calf.  April, her calf Tajiri, and the male Oliver drew thousands of visitors to our area last summer to visit Animal Adventure . It was quite the spectacle…and now that Tim Tebow is in Binghamton, another summer spectacle is about to begin.  But I digress.

I remember very clearly clutching my phone in a parking lot in Binghamton last year awaiting the imminent birth and being somewhat teary at his arrival on April 15.  Since we live only 2-3 miles from Animal Adventure, I found myself there several times last summer to coo over the 5′ 9″ baby towering over me.

He’s just adorable and the park is nicely set up for visitors to view the giraffe family.  This is the famous April the Giraffe with baby Taj peeking out at visitors.

A little attention, please

Just the sweetest face

But, the nicest surprise of all was how many other animals this petting zoo is caring for. I’m especially in love the the bear cubs, but there’s also an Arctic Wolf, birds, monkeys…and new for this year, lion cubs (pretty sure there will be some cooing going on at that exhibit!)

Animal Adventure has won the honor of being the top New York State attraction in a recent I Love NY voting campaign, so if you go please know you are in our backyard! On April 15, Taj will celebrate his first birthday and it will be shown via the Giraffe Cam. 

Cape Ann might have its obsession with Snowy Owls, but New York is all about April.  I’m right in there with both……