Okapi

Meet Kayemba, The Rare Okapi Calf Born At Marwell Zoo

Marwell Wildlife is celebrating the birth of a rare okapi calf, marking a significant milestone for the conservation of this endangered species.

The calf’s mother Niari was herself born at Marwell five years ago to Daphne and Jabari. This marks an incredible third-generation success, highlighting the zoo’s expertise in breeding and caring for okapi.

The species, often referred to as the ‘forest giraffe’ is native to the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo and faces increasing threats from habitat loss, poaching and illegal mining, with fewer than 10,000 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

Staff - Keeper Sophie - Okapi calf (5) copy

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Rare Forest Giraffe Born at Chester Zoo

Conservationists at Chester Zoo are celebrating the birth of an endangered okapi calf – a rare animal also known as the forest giraffe.

The adorable calf was born to mum K’tusha (10) and dad Stomp (20) on May 12 where she has since been snuggled up in a nest in a behind-the-scenes area at the charity zoo.

Now, at just six weeks old, the leggy newcomer has kicked up her heels and taken her first steps outside, following some gentle encouragement from mum.

A rare okapi calf has her first outdoor adventure after being born at Chester Zoo (19)

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Second Okapi Calf Of The Year Born At Antwerp ZOO

Seven months after okapi Lindi, okapi Zaire gave birth to a new okapi on 7 October in the Moorish temple of Antwerp ZOO. The caretakers watched and saw the animal being born live. It is her first young and everything went well. It is also his first offspring for sire Ubundu. Antwerp ZOO is the worldwide okapi expert and matchmaker for new flocks in zoos and monitors the welfare and survival of these special, endangered animals. This birth is again fantastic news!

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Endangered Okapi Born at Dublin Zoo

Male calf the second child of Lumara and Kitabu

Dublin Zoo is celebrating the arrival of a male okapi calf. The baby was born in the early morning of Thursday the 7th of July to parents Lumara (7y) and Kitabu (14y). Standing just 20 minutes after being born and suckling within hours, the baby is in excellent health, and he has been growing steadily in the past month.

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New Arrival For The Rare “Forest Giraffes”

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At 11.55 p.m. on Sunday 10 July 2022, a baby okapi was born at Basel Zoo. Toka’s birth has been the source of great excitement: he is only the fifth forest giraffe calf to be raised at Basel Zoo in over 20 years.

The new son of mother Ebony (10) and father Imba (15) is called Toka. The small bull is strong and curious. Immediately after he was born in the night between Sunday 10 and Monday 11 July 2022, he stood up on his shaky but stocky little legs and went in search of milk. Now, at 11 days old, Toka is in the best of health and is feeding regularly. After Quenco, who was born in 2019, Toka is okapi cow Ebony’s second successful birth. Her first calf came too early in 2017 and was stillborn.

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“Incredibly Special” Okapi Born At Chester Zoo

A rare okapi has given birth to an “incredibly special” calf at Chester Zoo. 

Incredibly special okapi born at Chester Zoo kicks up her feet in first outdoor adventure (72)

The wide-eyed infant, born to first-time mum Ada and dad Stomp, has remained snuggled up in her nest ever since her arrival into the world. But now, the shy youngster has started to take her very first tentative steps outside as she begins to gain in confidence.

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Baby Forest Giraffe (Okapi) Born At Beekse Bergen

Hilvarenbeek, November 9, 2021 – Safari Park Beekse Bergen is celebrating the birth of an okapi. The little male is only the tenth young of this endangered species worldwide to be born in a zoo in the past 12 months.

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The okapi, which belongs to the same family as the giraffe, is found in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Here his existence is threatened. The IUCN, one of the world's largest conservation organizations, known for its so-called 'red list', indicates that there may be only a few thousand left in the wild. The numbers are declining because the habitat is disappearing due to the felling of the rainforest. The okapi is also hunted by the local population for meat and skin.

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Rare Okapi Birth at Rotterdam Zoo

In the Netherlands, Rotterdam Zoo’s Okapi M'buti gave birth to a baby on Sunday November 21 at 12:15 pm. Mother and baby are doing well. M'buti is an experienced mother, this is her third baby. The father is Ngwani. The little one will remain in the stable for the next few weeks. Okapis are altricial, meaning they mature after birth with the aid of their parents. Just like in the wild, the mother leaves her young in a safe place and returns only to nurse. At first, okapi calves spend their days mostly sleeping and drinking. Visitors will soon be able to peek into the nursery via webcam.

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It’s a girl! Rare Okapi Born at Chester Zoo

Conservationists are celebrating the birth of a rare baby okapi at Chester Zoo.

The female calf, born to mum K’tusha (7) and dad Stomp (17), arrived safely following a 14-month-long pregnancy.

The zoo’s CCTV cameras captured the calf’s first wobbly steps as she was gently encouraged to her feet by mum, shortly after birth. Now, the shy new arrival has stepped outside for the first time after spending the first few weeks of life snuggled up in a cosy nest.

It_s a girl! Rare okapi born at Chester Zoo (14)
It_s a girl! Rare okapi born at Chester Zoo (14)
It_s a girl! Rare okapi born at Chester Zoo (14)

Zookeepers have named the adorable youngster ‘Nia Nia’ in homage to a small village that is in the centre of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a place where the zoo’s field partners are based, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – the only country in the world where okapis are found in the wild.

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