Okapi

Did you know?
that the okapi was the last large African mammal species to become known to science? It has been described in 1901 by the then Secretary of the London Zoological Society, on the basis of some small skin pieces, as "Equus (?) johnstoni sp.nov., an apparently new species of zebra from the Semliki Forest". In 1904 the geologist Dr. J. J. David of Basel (Switzerland) was the first European whoever saw, and shot, an okapi. The skin and skeleton of this animal are still preserved at the Basel Natural History Museum. In 1919 the first live okapi arrived in Europe, where it lived, for only 51 days, at Antwerp Zoo. In 1954, Antwerp was also the first zoo where an Okapi was bred.

Photo Copyright by
Valerie Abbott

Why do zoos keep this animal

The okapi is a unique species in many respects hence of significant educational value. It is an enigmatic species, which is a good ambassador for the threatened biocenosis of the Congo rain forest. While rated a Lower Risk species by IUCN, it has to be recognized that its range is relatively small and located in a politically unstable region. The building up and maintenance of a viable ex situ population is therefore an important precautionary measure to ensure the longer term survival of the species. Almost all zoos keeping okapis financially support okapi conservation in the Ituri Forest.

How this animal should be kept

Okapis are solitary animals which should be kept singly, in pairs or in small groups of compatible animals with the possibility of separating them at any time. It is recommended that an outdoor enclosure of 250 m² be provided for each adult, which should be connected by two doors to the neighbouring enclosure. The soil should be well drained. Ideally it would be covered with grass, and perennials, shrubs and trees, and bamboo would add a lot to the quality of the naturalistic environment and to the behavioural enrichment of the animals. There must be some shady places in the enclosure because okapis do not like burning sun and dry heat. If trees are still too small or provide insufficient shade, an artificial "umbrella” system should be installed to protect the animals.

The outdoor enclosure may be confined by fences of at least 1.8 m, or dry halfmoats or water moats. Steep moats and direct contact with the public must be avoided.

Anywhere outside the species’ natural range indoor facilities must be provided where temperature will not be higher than 27 ºC and will not fall below 15 ºC. Humidity should not fall below 55 %, and dust must be avoided. The indoor facilities should consist of individual stables with a minimum surface of 15 m² each. Ideally, there are more stables than animals, which would allow for combining them and giving the animals more exercise.

Okapis are browsers and their diet should consist of clover, alfalfa hay, silage, branches in leave (which may be conserved in the deep freezer), fruit, vegetables, unmolassed beet pulp, pellets, vitamins and mineral salts. Water should be available at all times.