The much younger M’Baya had conceived in the past, but never carried a pregnancy for the necessary 14- to 15-month gestation period. At 25 years old, Safarani had successfully given birth to 3 calves a fourth would be a welcome addition. In 2016, two female okapis at the San Diego Zoo, Safarani (“Saffy” for short) and M’Baya, bred with a male named Amare. Science and Saving SpeciesĪn okapi can delay the birth of her unborn fetus for weeks if birthing conditions are not favorable: hence the range of gestation period of 14 to 15 months. Fortunately, an international consortium of zoos and conservation agencies are collaborating both in situ and ex situ to conserve this cultural symbol of survival and intrigue. The Central African rain forest provides excellent cover for the observant okapi, but unfortunately they have been in significant decline since the 1990s due to relentless poaching and habitat destruction. They share physical features like an elongated neck, a long, dark tongue, and males growing horns covered in skin, called ossicones-hence the okapi’s nickname, “forest giraffe.” Both are potential prey species, namely of leopards and humans, and remain on ear-twitching “orange alert” to stay ahead of danger. While the okapi’s striped coat pattern on its rump and legs is reminiscent of the zebra, it is actually related to another iconic hoofed species: the giraffe. Despite being about the size of a thoroughbred horse, this shy, solitary ungulate evaded Western scientific discovery for so long, it came to be regarded as the “African unicorn.” In 1901, Sir Harry Johnston laid claim to its discovery, based on a pelt and two skulls provided by local Mbuti pygmy people, and the species was named Okapia johnstoni to honor him. You’d have a better chance of being struck by lightning three times on a Thursday than spotting an okapi in its dense, damp, dark habitat in the Ituri Forest, located in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo. BY Karyl Carmignani Photography by Ken Bohn
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