'Explicit' giraffe birth livestream removed from YouTube

  • 24/02/2017

A New York zoo livestreaming the birth of a giraffe have had the video taken off YouTube after complaints about "sexually explicit" content, allegedly from anti-zoo animal activists.

Thousands of viewers from around the world tuned in to see April the giraffe deliver her calf at the Animal Adventure Park in New York.

YouTube removed the livestream after receiving the complaints it was explicit and contained nudity. It had gauged more than 30 million views, according to the Animal Adventure Park.

The zoo responded in a Facebook video, with a spokesman saying, "Unfortunately, with that viral spread that we've gained, this is example of why we can't have nice things.

"There is a handful of extremists and animal activists that may not agree with us.

"They reported our YouTube cam as sexually explicit, containing nude content which made for its removal on YouTube."

The livestream has since been reinstated, allowing thousands of viewers from around the world to watch in anticipation of baby Oliver's arrival.

Newshub.