There's nothing like a good conspiracy theory to really set off an extremely odd and pedo sex videounexpected internet trend. A group of people are trolling a popular YouTube livestream by saying that giraffes lay eggs.
It all started last week when the Animal Adventure Park in New York started a livestream of its pregnant giraffe, April. Intended for educational and promotional purposes, the stream got off to a rocky start when alleged animal rights activists flagged the YouTube stream for removal, citing nudity and sexually explicit content. The stream was briefly taken down by YouTube, then reinstated, but the damage was done.
SEE ALSO: You guys, giraffe births are horrifying. Look away.YouTube's mistake grabbed the attention of the media and internet at large. A few people attempting to take the stream down had the exact opposite effect, bringing more attention to what would have probably been just another animal livestream. While widespread attention from the internet can mean good things, it also brings out the haters and trolls.
But April still hasn't given birth to her baby, and soon after the giraffe cam made headlines, Animal Adventure Park started to receive complaints from its commenters that some people were pushing the false theory that giraffes lay eggs.
"We had people complaining that it adds no educational value, and the mockery of the giraffe and natural. Some people got pretty bent out of shape over of it," zoo owner Jordan Patch said during a phone interview.
This is the classic definition of trolling. Cast out a ridiculous line, wait and see who catches.
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Though the official YouTube livestream doesn't have a comment section, the hashtag #TeamEgg can be spotted on the Animal Adventure Park's Facebook page. Egg deniers took their own stand with the hashtag #AprilsViewCrew. The egg movement even has multiple Facebook pages, one with more than 900 members called #TeamEgg (Giraffes DO Lay Eggs). It appears to have been started by a teen, of course.
Theories flew that the livestream was actually fake because giraffes actually lay eggs. At the moment it seems like people are mostly joking, and while #TeamEgg is all in good fun, this could easily be the dangerous start to a real conspiracy theory. Peoplestillthink the earth is flat.
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"After April's delivery, of course we will watch our new arrival. But, in addition to that, #TeamEgg can move on as a group to follow the next birth somewhere in the world!" one commenter in the Facebook group posted. "And let the egg jokes continue!"
So it appears as if the battle between trolls and people unable to spot a joke may continue way after April the giraffe finally gives birth.
On Sunday, the zoo officially addressed some of the rumors and theories surrounding the stream.
"To dispel rumors and #fakenews, April is happy and healthy, she has not yet had her calf," the zoo wrote on Facebook. "There has never been a stillborn calf in her history, and last but not least - we do not know if, how, or when, she will EVER lay an EGG! (joke and mention for #teamegg)."
As for dealing with the success of the livestream, Patch described the last few days as a "roller coaster."
"There's the peaks, there's they valleys, there's the moment of excitement, moments of discouragement, but as long as you're still grounded at the core, you're OK."
Between numerous fake livestreams and constant trolling, Animal Adventure Park has had its fair share of internet drama this week, but that just may be the cost of going viral in 2017. After all, here we are writing our fourth story about a giraffe giving birth.
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