Okapi | Define Okapi at Dictionary.com okapi noun, plural okapis (especially collectively) okapi. 1. an African mammal, Okapia johnstoni, closely related to and resembling the giraffe, but smaller and with a much shorter neck. Origin of okapi Bambuba 1900 1900; < Bambuba (Mvu’ba), a Central Sudanic language of the NE Democratic Republic of the Congo (or < a related Pygmy dial.), according to English Africanist Harry Johnston (1858-1927), author of the first zoological descriptions of the animal Dictionary.com Unabridged Examples from the Web for okapi Expand British Dictionary definitions for okapi Expand noun (pl) -pis, -pi 1. a ruminant mammal, Okapia johnstoni, of the forests of central Africa, having a reddish-brown coat with horizontal white stripes on the legs and small horns: family Giraffidae Word Origin C20: from a Central African word Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd.

1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 Word Origin and History for okapi Expand n. short-necked giraffe of central Africa, 1900, from the animal's name in Mbuba (Congo). Reported by English explorer Sir Harry Johnston (1858-1927). Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper Okapis - definition of okapis by The Free Dictionary Okapis - definition of okapis by The Free Dictionary (ō-kä′pē) n. pl. okapi or o·ka·pis A ruminant mammal (Okapia johnstoni) of the central African rainforest, having a reddish-brown body, whitish-gray cheeks, horizontal whitish stripes on the legs and hindquarters, and short horns in the male. The okapi is closely related to the giraffe.

[Perhaps of Mvuba (Nilo-Saharan language of Congo) origin.] okapi (əʊˈkɑːpɪ) n, pl -pis or -pi (Animals) a ruminant mammal, Okapia johnstoni, of the forests of central Africa, having a reddish-brown coat with horizontal white stripes on the legs and small horns: family Giraffidae [C20: from a Central African word] o•ka•pi (oʊˈkɑ pi) n., pl. -pis, (esp. collectively) -pi. a central African ruminant, Okapia johnstoni, of the same family as the giraffe, but smaller and with a much shorter neck.

[1900; < Bambuba (Mvu'ba), a language of the NE Democratic Republic of the Congo (or < a related Pygmy dial.)] ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend: Okapi | Definition of Okapi by Merriam-Webster Definition of okapi : an African ungulate mammal (Okapia johnstoni) that is closely related to the giraffe but has a relatively short neck, a coat typically of solid reddish chestnut on the trunk, yellowish white on the cheeks, and purplish-black and cream rings on the upper parts of the legs Dallas Zoo welcomes another rare baby okapi | Dallas Zoo welcomes another rare baby okapi Nov 1, 2013 “Almasi” is 36th calf born through zoo’s renowned breeding programthat helps ensure survival of these beautiful, elusive animals from the Congo The Dallas Zoo has welcomed a new baby okapi, named “Almasi,” who becomes the 36th calf born in the zoo’s 50-year history of caring for this rare, remarkable species.

Okapi (pronounced oh-KOP-ee) are a unique and mysterious animal, so elusive that they have been called the “African unicorn.” Their black-and-white striped legs and horselike bodies resemble a zebra, but the okapi is most closely related to giraffes. Like giraffes, their heads have large ears that give them keen hearing and their long prehensile tongues let them strip leaves and shoots from trees. “Almasi’s birth is another major success in efforts to ensure that this incredible animal species survives,” said Lynn Kramer, D.V.M., vice president of animal operations and welfare for the Dallas Zoo. “The Dallas Zoo has a long history of caring for and learning about okapi, and we will continue to be a leader in the fight to educate the world to protect these animals.” Almasi (“diamond” in Swahili) will make her way into the main okapi habitat for the first time this Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 2-3) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. She was born Aug. 14, 2013, after a 14-month gestation.

She weighed 47 pounds at birth, and is now up to 190 pounds. When fully grown, she’ll stand more than 5 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh more than 700 pounds. “These animals have irresistible charm and behave unlike any other mammal,” said Megan Lumpkin, the Dallas Zoo’s lead keeper for the okapi. “They communicate using infrasound, a low-frequency sound undetectable to humans. It is critically important that they be protected.” Almasi is the second calf born to her mother, Desi, who is taking very good care of her new little one. For now, both remain in their nesting stalls, although Almasi is getting more adventurous every day and keepers expect her to be able to enter the large okapi habitat within a few weeks. The okapi habitat is in the Dallas Zoo’s Wilds of Africa area, near the end of the Gorilla Trail. The habitat also can be seen from the Monorail Safari. Okapi in the wild are found exclusively in the Ituri rain forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are difficult to see in the rain forest because of their striking camouflage.

Because they’re very elusive and the Congo rain forest is so rugged, little is known about their behavior in the wild. However, researchers have found that their numbers are declining rapidly due to destruction of their rain forest home, despite their popularity in the African country. Okapi are even featured on the Congo’s 1,000-franc note. The Dallas Zoo is internationally known for okapi breeding success and research breakthroughs. The zoo is a key part of the Okapi Species Survival Plan (SSP), a collaborative conservation and breeding program of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums that manages efforts to help ensure survival of this endangered species. As a member of the SSP, the Dallas Zoo supports conservation efforts to protect wild okapi, while striving to ensure a future for them by maintaining a healthy and genetically sound gene pool. To further those efforts, in April the Dallas Zoo sent two okapi to Zurich, Switzerland, as part of an SSP recommendation to help improve the genetic lineage of okapi in Europe. Such a move from the United States had not been done in more than 20 years, and was a strategic success more than three years in the planning. The intricate process was overseen by Jan Raines, D.V.M.

and associate veterinarian at the zoo, and Lumpkin. “From a veterinary standpoint, we still have much to learn about okapi,” Raines said. “The more we find out about them, the more we realize how remarkable they are. Having such a dedicated okapi program at the Dallas Zoo is advancing knowledge that is vital to preserving this species.” Lumpkin traveled overseas with the okapi, which handled the trip very well and are now thriving at the two European zoos where they now live. Ann, a female, lives at Zooparc de Beauval in France, while Imba, a male, resides at Zoo Basel in Switzerland. Almasi joins five other okapi at the Dallas Zoo: Kwanini, female, age 23; Niko, male, 16; Desi, female, 14; Uche, male, 4; and Ikenge, male, 1. As recently as 1982, only 16 okapi lived in U.S. zoological parks, and seven of those were being cared for in Dallas.

In the late 1980s and ’90s, Dallas Zoo researchers detailed the norms of behavior for okapi mothers and calves, leading to guidelines for the species and enabling other zoos to successfully breed the species. Now there are nearly 100 okapi in 23 zoos across the United States, and 69 live in 17 European zoos. The Dallas Zoo studies established behavioral norms for the length of time okapi spend on their nest, nest site choice and permanency, and mother and calf interactions such as nursing behaviors and grooming behaviors. This research indicated the need for a visual barrier between calf nest and mother’s area. The study also established norms for developmental landmarks following birth such as birth weight, first time standing, first time attempting to nurse, first time to nurse, and first defecation. This information helps identify problems quickly in calves born later. Studies have since focused on normal calf weight growth and female pregnancy gain patterns, stress levels during breeding introductions, and measuring behaviors in housing conditions.

Follow the most recent news about the Dallas Zoo on: okapi | mammal | Britannica.com mammal ruminant Okapi (Okapia johnstoni), cud-chewing hoofed mammal that is placed along with the giraffe in the family Giraffidae (order Artiodactyla). It serves as the flagship species (a popular species that has become a symbol for the conservation of a region) for the Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo . Okapi (Okapia johnstoni). Okapi (Okapia johnstoni). iStockphoto/Thinkstock Found in the rainforests of the Congo region, the okapi was unknown to science until 1901, when British explorer Sir Harry Hamilton Johnston sent the first bits of hide to the British Museum . However, British American explorer Sir Henry Morton Stanley had made the first report of the animal as early as 1890. Although it is related to the giraffe, the okapi has a shorter neck and shorter legs. The coat of the okapi is sleek and deep brown, almost purple, with the sides of the face pale white, and the forehead and ears may have a dull reddish cast.

The buttocks, thighs, and tops of the forelegs are horizontally striped with black and white, and the lower parts of the legs are white with black rings above the hooves. Male okapis average about 2.5 metres (about 8 feet) long and stand about 1.5 metres (about 5 feet) at the shoulder. Adult males typically weigh 200–300 kg (about 440–660 pounds). Adult females are slightly taller and weigh 25–50 kg (55–110 pounds) more than adult males. The eyes and ears of both sexes are large, and the tongue is long and prehensile. The male has short horns that are completely covered by skin except at the tips. Most females do not possess horns, though they often display knobby bumps in their place. The okapi is a shy, solitary, elusive animal that lives among dense cover and browses on leaves , fungi , and fruit . It uses its long tongue to strip leaves from branches and supplements its diet with clay , burned wood, and bat guano . Okapis are preyed upon by leopards (Panthera pardus).

Captive okapis may succumb to infection from Monodontella giraffae, a parasitic nematode that damages their bile ducts. Okapi (Okapia johnstoni). Okapi - ZooBorns Okapi October 18, 2016 Today, October 18th, is the inaugural “ World Okapi Day ”, and there is no better way to celebrate than by announcing the arrival of a new Okapi calf! In the early morning of October 1st, Zoo Basel welcomed their first Okapi birth in eleven years! The little bull calf, named Nuru, is the son of Mchawi. Keepers say he is a strong guy and has been exploring the indoor stables with great curiosity. Photo Credits: Zoo Basel Nuru is the first male calf for mom, Mchawi. Born in 2011 at Antwerp, Mchawi has lived at Basel Zoo since 2014. The genetic basis of the EEP (European Endangered Species Programme) was very narrow for the Okapi. Zoo Basel decided a few years ago, in consultation with the EEP, to expand this base by importing new animals from the United States.

At the end of this reshuffling, three animals found new homes at Zoo Basel: new mom, Mchawi, an eight-year-old bull Imba (who came from Dallas Zoo, US, in 2013), and five-year-old Ebony. The hard work and efforts, of the EEP and cooperating Zoos, have paid off. Nuru seems to be a curious, courageous, and healthy calf. Keepers report that he sometimes skips naptime for jumping capers through the stables. It's too cold for the little guy to spend time in the outdoor exhibit, but when the temperatures warm, and Nuru is older, he will enjoy the outdoors as well. His current exhibit house is open for visitors, but they are asked to be patient. Nuru frequently withdraws for long periods of time to bond with his mom. The breeding of the Okapi at Zoo Basel has a long history, with many interruptions. For the Zoo’s 75th anniversary in 1949, they received a bull from the Epulu-Breeding Station (in what was then known as the Belgian Congo).

In the years 1955 and 1956 more animals came, and the first calf for the Zoo was born in 1960. After several decades of unsuccessful breeding attempts, a calf was born in 2005. The birth of Nuru has been an exciting boost to the Zoo’s efforts at helping to preserve this endangered species. The Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) is a giraffid artiodactyl mammal native to the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Although the Okapi bears striped markings reminiscent of Zebras, it is most closely related to the Giraffe. The Okapi and the Giraffe are the only living members of the family Giraffidae. The Okapi stands about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall at the shoulder and has an average body length of about 2.5 m (8.2 ft). Its weight ranges from 200 to 350 kg (440 to 770 lb). It has a long neck, and large, flexible ears.

Its coat is a chocolate to reddish brown, much in contrast with the white horizontal stripes and rings on the legs and white ankles. Male Okapis have short, hair-covered horns called ossicones, less than 15 cm (5.9 in) in length. Females possess hair whorls, and ossicones are absent. Okapis are primarily diurnal but may be active for a few hours in darkness. They are essentially solitary, coming together only to breed. Okapis are herbivores, feeding on tree leaves and buds, grasses, ferns, fruits, and fungi. The gestational period for females is around 440 to 450 days, and usually a single calf is born. The juveniles are kept in hiding, and nursing takes place infrequently. Juveniles start taking solid food from about three months, and weaning takes place at six months. Okapis inhabit canopy forests at altitudes of 500–1,500 m (1,600–4,900 ft). They are endemic to the tropical forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they occur across the central, northern and eastern regions.

December 09, 2015 Zoo Antwerpen’s royal resident, Yenthe the Okapi, recently gave birth to a new princess. The new calf, Qira, was born November 15. She weighed in at 24 kg (53 lbs) and was 85 cm (2.7 ft) tall. Antwerp Zoo has a special connection to this beautiful animal. The Zoo is coordinator of the European breeding programme for the Okapi, and the prolific stripes of this endangered species are used in the Zoo’s logo. Photo Credits: ZOO Antwerpen / Jonas Verhulst The new calf and her mom are bonding and doing well. Yenthe’s gestation period was exceptionally long; she counted 443 days, instead of the typical 410 to 440 days. Following the tradition of giving all 2015 babies names starting with “Q”, the small Okapi was named Qira (meaning Sun). Qira is steadily gaining weight and can be identified by the unique stripe pattern on her buttocks and legs. Zookeeper, Patrick Immens, said, “Qira seems a very easy baby.

She drinks well and follows mama, Yenthe, very easily. She even steps onto the scale with ease…” Three Okapi are now living at the Zoo: Yenthe, Qira, and the proud father, Bondo. The “royal family” is considered to be invaluable to the breeding program of this endangered species. Yenthe and Bondo are said to be an exceptionally good match due to their genetic makeup, and their contribution to the European breeding programme is invaluable. A rare Okapi calf was born on September 24 at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo ! The yet-to-be-named newborn, a male, weighed 42 pounds at birth and is the second successful Okapi birth in the zoo’s history. Photo Credit: Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo Born to experienced mother Betty, the calf was able to stand within hours of birth. The calf is expected to spend about two months “nesting” in the Okapi barn, which is similar to the hiding behavior that wild Okapi calves employ as protection from predators. This calf is only the third Okapi born in the United States in 2015.

These large hoofed mammals are managed by the Okapi Species Survival Plan of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums to maximize genetic diversity of this Endangered species. The managed population grows slowly due to a 14-16 month gestation period, and results in about four North American births per year. Okapi are sometimes called “Forest Giraffes” and are native to the dense rain forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Shy and reclusive, Okapi are the only living relatives of Giraffes and were discovered by scientists in the 20th century. Due to habitat loss and political unrest in the DRC, the wild population has declined by 50 percent in the last 20 years. Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo participates in the Okapi Conservation Project to secure a protected area in the DRC's Ituri Forest. The project's goals are to train and equip wildlife guards to protect the area from poachers, provide community assistance to people living around the reserve, educate people about sustainable use, and provide care for a breeding group of Okapi in the reserve. June 15, 2015 An Okapi calf recently made his public debut at Chester Zoo , in the UK.

The youngster, named Usala, was born April 30th to parents, Stuma and Dicky. Okapi calves are notoriously elusive, and Usala’s first public outing required some steady persuasion from mum Stuma. Photo Credits: Chester Zoo Keeper, Fiona Howe said, “Okapis are rather secretive animals. Up until now, Usala has been out of the spotlight, cozied up in his nest. But thanks to the support of mum Stuma, he’s now starting to explore.” “A trademark of the Okapi is the stripy markings on their legs; designed to help offspring follow them through deep forest. And that’s exactly where you’ll tend to see Usala - sticking closely to his mum’s legs as she moves around foraging for food. Stuma is an excellent mum, and she’s doing a great job of helping her new charge gain confidence on his legs. She can often be seen offering him an affectionate nuzzle as reassurance that he’s doing well,” Fiona continued. Usala’s arrival is an important boost to the breeding programme for the endangered animals, increasing the number of Okapis in UK zoos to 14. This is only the second Okapi ever born at Chester Zoo.

Tafari, a female, was born in 2012. The Okapi, also known as the “forest giraffe”, is a rare hoofed mammal, native to the dense Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They are closely related to the Giraffe, and along with their long-necked cousin, they are the only living members of the family Giraffidae. American and European scientists did not discover the species until the early 1900s. Because of the Okapi’s elusiveness, little has been known about their behavior in the wild, including how they raise their calves. Okapis are herbivores, feeding on tree leaves and buds, grasses, ferns, fruits, and fungi. Females become sexually mature when about one-and-a-half years old, while males reach maturity after two years. After successful mating, there is a gestational period of around 440 to 450 days, which results, usually, in the birth of a single calf. Only male Okapi have horns, and females are commonly a bit taller than males. Okapis are currently classified as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species .

Population numbers of Okapi, in the wild, have been declining and are predicted to continue on this downward trend due to habitat loss, human settlement, mining, war and political instability in these animals’ region, and the bushmeat trade. Chester Zoo is working with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN’s) Giraffe and Okapi specialist advisory group to develop a conservation strategy for Okapis. Chester Zoo also supports the DRC Wildlife Authority and their efforts to protect the species in the Ituri Forest in the DRC. More amazing pics and video, below the fold! May 28, 2015 Brookfield Zoo , in Chicago, Illinois, is excited to share photos of ‘Will’, a male Okapi born at the zoo on April 21. Born to first-time mom, ‘Augusta K.’, Will is currently behind the scenes, but he can be seen via a live video feed that is set up in the zoo’s “Habitat Africa! The Forest”. Photo Credits: Brookfield Zoo During Will’s first few months of life, he will spend the majority of his time in an indoor nesting area.

In the wild, a mother Okapi leaves her calf at a protected nesting site, to keep it hidden from predators. She returns only to allow the calf to nurse. Once Will is more active, at about 3 months old, guests will be able to see him exploring his outdoor habitat with Augusta. Brookfield Zoo was the site of the first Okapi birth in North America in 1959 and has had 27 successful births, including this newest addition. The Okapi, also known as the “forest giraffe”, is a rare hoofed mammal, native to the dense Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. American and European scientists did not discover the species until the early 1900s. Because of the Okapi’s elusiveness, little has been known about their behavior in the wild, including how they raise their calves. The Chicago Zoological Society, which operates the Brookfield Zoo, has been a leader in gathering information on mother-calf relationships and calf development. This information has been instrumental in developing husbandry methods to help Okapi mothers raise their calves successfully.

Population numbers of Okapi, in the wild, have been declining and are predicted to continue on this downward trend due to habitat loss, human settlement, mining, war and political instability in these animals’ region, and the bushmeat trade. A global initiative formed in 2013 is helping to attract and strengthen international support for the species, and its closest relative: the giraffe, by providing an official forum to support the implementation of much-needed conservation strategies. Visit to learn how to help with Okapi conservation. More great photos, below the fold! The Houston Zoo is proud to announce the birth of a baby Okapi. The yet-to-be-named male calf was born on November 6 and has been thriving under the care of his mother, Tulia. Photo Credits: Houston Zoo The pair will continue to bond behind the scenes for the next several weeks. This is the first successful birth of a baby Okapi at the zoo. Okapis are also known as the “forest giraffe” and are native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Since 2013, the species has been classified as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List , due to habitat destruction and poaching.

Zebra and giraffe live in herds, but Okapi usually live alone in the forest. Sometimes a mother will live with its one calf until the calf is grown. Like giraffes, Okapi have long tongues they use for plucking leaves, buds, and branches from trees to eat. Okapi are solitary creatures that hide in the dense forest where they live. They were not discovered until 1901. Okapi need thick rainforests to live, but their homes are being cut down. People are working to protect the rainforests to make sure Okapi have the food, water, and shelter they need to survive. More amazing pics below the fold! Tammy Spratt, San Diego Zoo Safari Park . Okapi mother Ayana watched over her 2-week-old calf as he took a break from nursing this morning at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The male calf, named Jackson, was born on July 6 and is spending time with his mother in the Okapi barn at the Safari Park as he gets to know his surroundings. Okapi newborns can stand up within 30 minutes of birth and nurse for the first time within an hour of birth.

They have the same coloring as an adult but have a short fringe of hair along the spine, which generally disappears by the time they are 12 to 14 months old. To honor those who devote their lives to animal care and conservation, the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, along with zoos nationwide, are celebrating National Zoo Keeper Week July 20 through 26. There are more than 6,000 zoo keepers across the U.S. who care for animals in fields that involve medical care, training, research, enrichment and education. San Diego Zoo Global salutes the animal care professionals who contribute to wildlife care and help increase public awareness about the need to preserve habitats and the creatures that inhabit them. Related articles February 26, 2014 Denver Zoo has announced the birth of a rare Okapi! The male calf, named Jabari (Jah-bar-ee), was born to mother, Kalispell (Kal-lis-pell), and father, Sekele (seh-Kee-lee), on February 3. He is only the sixth birth of his species at the zoo.

Jabari will remain behind the scenes for a little while longer, but visitors will soon be able to see the youngster as he grows and becomes more self-sufficient. Jabari, Swahili for 'brave', is the first birth for both of his parents. Sekele and Kalispell were paired under recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, which ensures healthy populations and genetic diversity among zoo animals. Kalispell was born at Denver Zoo in 2009 and was actually the Zoo’s last okapi birth prior to Jabari. Sekele was born in 2009 at the San Diego Zoo and arrived at Denver Zoo in 2010. Photo credit: Denver Zoo This rare species was only first described by science about 100 years ago. Very little is known about the behavior of the Okapi in the wild due to its shy, elusive nature. Much of what is known has been learned in zoos in the past 45 years. Okapis look like a cross between zebras and giraffes. In fact, the species is the closest living relative to the giraffe.

In addition to long necks, okapis have reddish bodies, black-and-white striped legs and 12-inch, purple, prehensile tongues. Adult okapis weigh between 500 and 700 pounds (about 227 to 318 kg) and stand approximately five feet (1.5 m) tall at the shoulder. Females are generally larger than males. The Okapi’s gestation period is between 14 and 15 months. Native only to the Ituri Forest of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), survival of the Okapi is seriously threatened by unsettled political conditions and rebel military actions in that part of the DRC. Wild population estimates for the species are extremely difficult to determine because the forest is so dense, but scientists believe there are between 10,000 and 50,000 individuals. Their numbers are believed to be declining, and Okapis are classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Additional threats come from habitat loss and hunting.

January 05, 2014 The endangered Okapi is the symbol of Belgium’s Antwerp Zoo , and rightly so – the 50th Okapi calf to be born at the zoo arrived on December 27. Named Oni, this female calf is part of the zoo’s important Okapi breeding program, which began when the first Okapi arrived there in 1919. Photo Credit: © ZOO Antwerpen / Jonas Verhulst Oni is the second calf to be born to female Hakima and is doing well, according to zoo staff. Like all Okapis, Oni has a unique pattern of stripes on her hindquarters. She joins a group of seven Okapi at the zoo, including her sister Mchawi, who was born in 2011. Antwerp Zoo manages the worldwide studbook for Okapi and coordinates the European breeding program for the species. In this role, the zoo maintains data on every zoo-born Okapi in the world, reviews the data, and determines which pairings will result in the highest genetic diversity in any offspring.

Efforts like this are crucial to the survival of the endangered Okapi, whose wild population has plummeted by 75% in the last decade. There are currently 170 Okapi in zoos worldwide, but scientists estimate that 270 Okapi are needed to sustain a genetically healthy captive population. To reach this target, 13 Okapi births are needed each year for the next several decades Closely related to Giraffes, only 10,000 Okapi survive in the dense rain forests of Africa’s Congo basin. Deforestation, hunting, and political instability threaten their future. The Antwerp Zoo supports an Okapi reserve that serves as a refuge for these animals. More than 28 years of planning and preparation have paid off for the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens ! The zoo’s first-ever Okapi calf, born on August 26, made his public debut in November. Photo Credit: Los Angeles Zoo The zoo received its very first Okapi in 2005 after trying to obtain one for more than 20 years. Jamal, then 10 years old, came to the zoo from Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida.

The zoo’s goal of obtaining a breeding pair was achieved in 2010 when a female, Baraka, arrived from Denver Zoo. With black-and-white stripes, Okapis may look like zebras, but they are actually the closest living relatives of giraffes. Often called the “forest giraffe,” this shy, secretive Central African species has a lustrous, velvety coat, a 14-18-inch-long prehensile tongue. Adults stand over six feet tall and weigh 400-700 pounds. “This long-awaited birth is particularly special because it's the first Okapi we've ever had born here at the zoo,” said John Lewis, Los Angeles Zoo Director. “Being able to have a species like this breed in our zoo is a real testament to the hard work of the staff and their dedication to Okapi conservation.” The Los Angeles Zoo works with The Okapi Conservation Project (OCP), a conservation group initiated in 1987 with the objective of eliciting support for the conservation of the wild Okapi from individuals, foundations, and zoological institutions managing Okapi around the world. The Okapi is an important flagship species for a rain forest habitat that is rapidly vanishing.

Over the last decade, the wild Okapi population has dropped from 40,000 to 10,000, and there are currently only 85 Okapi in Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoos. Dung DNA Gives Clues to the Shy Okapi's Lifestyle - Inkfish Inkfish Dung DNA Gives Clues to the Shy Okapi’s Lifestyle By Elizabeth Preston | January 23, 2015 9:43 am Try to read up on the okapi and you won’t find much. This African mammal is most often seen next to the adjective “elusive.” But even if we can’t find any okapi, we can learn about their lifestyle through their DNA—and we can find their DNA in their feces. The okapi is an ungulate, like a cow. Or really like a giraffe, its closest relative. It has an elegant face, a long bluish tongue, and a zebra-striped rear end. It lives in the dense rainforest of the Democratic Republic of Congo, chewing tree leaves in privacy. No one in the Western world knew the animal existed until the 20th century.

“One of the great things about studying okapi was that there was so little known about them in advance,” says David Stanton, a PhD student at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom. “So in this sense, everything that we found out was a surprise.” Stanton and his coauthors just published an investigation of okapi society. Rather than search for actual wild okapi (elusive, remember?), they scoured the Réserve de Faune à Okapis, a national park in the DRC, for dung. The researchers gathered 208 fecal samples. They were able to extract and sequence DNA from 105 of these samples, and confirmed that all 105 came from okapi. And even without seeing any wild animals, the scientists could piece together a few clues about the okapi’s lifestyle from that genetic material. To start, they analyzed whether okapi that are more closely related live (and poop) closer to each other. Do the animals live in family groups? The answer was no. Except for mothers with offspring, “related individuals do not appear to live closer together than unrelated individuals in any meaningful sense,” Stanton says. The researchers concluded that okapi are solitary .

They could also get a peek at the animals’ sex lives through their dung. To do this, the scientists used a computer program that sifted through the genetic sequences and looked for siblings. The program found one pair of full siblings (animals with the same mother and father). But there were around 200 sets of half-siblings among the animals. This suggested that okapi are polygamous; they don’t stick with one mate. Finally, the researchers investigated how widely okapi move around. Judging by dung piles that had identical DNA, individual okapi didn’t wander very far. Almost all of these matching piles were less than a kilometer apart. Male okapi, though, were less closely related to each other than females. This suggests that before settling into a home range, males roam farther from where they were born. This system is not unusual for mammals, though sometimes females are the ones who do the roaming, or “dispersing.” “The most surprising thing,” Stanton says, “is how far this animal seems to be able to disperse.” The team gathered dung samples from all across the park, which covers nearly 14,000 square kilometers. Yet the genetic analysis found no subgroups within the okapi population.

It seems that when an okapi disperses, it “moves relatively freely through a national park that is the size of a (very) small country,” Stanton says. “We found no evidence that barriers such as rivers or roads affected this movement at all.” Okapi are endangered, and knowing more about their lifestyle can help humans protect them. Beside being a worthy target of conservation, Stanton says the okapi is “a fascinating animal scientifically.” More than 15 million years of evolution separate the animal from its closest relative, and its feeding behavior is unlike any other African ungulate. Conserving okapi may not make them any less elusive, but at least we’ll know this weird species is still out there somewhere. Image: by Raul654 (via Wikimedia Commons) Stanton, D., Hart, J., Kümpel, N., Vosper, A., Nixon, S., Bruford, M., Ewen, J., & Wang, J. (2015).

Enhancing knowledge of an endangered and elusive species, the okapi, using non-invasive genetic techniques Journal of Zoology DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12205 Okapi - definition of okapi by The Free Dictionary Okapi - definition of okapi by The Free Dictionary (ō-kä′pē) n. pl. okapi or o·ka·pis A ruminant mammal (Okapia johnstoni) of the central African rainforest, having a reddish-brown body, whitish-gray cheeks, horizontal whitish stripes on the legs and hindquarters, and short horns in the male. The okapi is closely related to the giraffe.

[Perhaps of Mvuba (Nilo-Saharan language of Congo) origin.] okapi (əʊˈkɑːpɪ) n, pl -pis or -pi (Animals) a ruminant mammal, Okapia johnstoni, of the forests of central Africa, having a reddish-brown coat with horizontal white stripes on the legs and small horns: family Giraffidae [C20: from a Central African word] o•ka•pi (oʊˈkɑ pi) n., pl. -pis, (esp. collectively) -pi. a central African ruminant, Okapia johnstoni, of the same family as the giraffe, but smaller and with a much shorter neck. [1900; < Bambuba (Mvu'ba), a language of the NE Democratic Republic of the Congo (or < a related Pygmy dial.)] ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Question: The Okapi is most closely related to which other African mammal?
Answer: GIRAFFE