The Oklahoma City Zoo has a new reason to celebrate as they welcome an endangered okapi calf, born on last Sunday. The female calf, yet to be named, joins a small population of okapis with an estimated number of just 10,000 remaining in the wild, according to a report by KFOR.
Zoo officials shared their enthusiasm for the new addition, highlighting the significance of her arrival. "We've been eagerly awaiting the birth of this little calf and are thrilled that she’s here, healthy and strong," said Bill Smith, OKC Zoo's Curator of Hoofstock, in a statement obtained by OKC FOX. This calf is especially vital, as okapis are endangered, and each birth is crucial to the ongoing efforts of species conservation.
Born to parents Kayin, age 9, and Bosomi, age 7, the calf represents the eighth successful okapi birth at the Oklahoma City Zoo's okapi barn in Expedition Africa. Dwight Lawson, the zoo's Executive Director and CEO, expressed excitement for guests to connect with "our newest okapi ambassador," echoing sentiments of care and conservation efforts communicated by the zoo over the years, as reported by KFOR.
Known for their unique camouflage characteristics with striped legs, okapis are indeed the only living relatives of giraffes, a fact that underscores their rarity. "Okapi calves usually stay hidden for several weeks after being born rather than following their mothers," according to KOCO. This behavior is an evolutionary adaptation for survival in the wild, protecting them from predators. Despite being dubbed the "ghosts of the forests," visitors to the zoo may soon catch a glimpse of the new calf and her mother as they venture into the okapi's outdoor habitat, weather permitting.
