Origin
Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) belongs to the genus Okapia, the family Giraffidae and the order Artiodactyla. It is a herbivorous animal found in the tropical montane forests of Africa. It can be found in the forests of Congo at an altitude of 500-1000m. it prefers areas with water sources, especially flowing water. It has a limited area of natural barriers, so it has an area of 63,000 square km. Part of this area has been converted into a nature reserve for okapi.
It was recognized as a distinct species in the early 20th century. It is a shy animal rarely seen by humans. It is also known as the "forest zebra". It was hunted by the natives for meat and skin. Most of the information about okapi came from captive specimens at zoos. It is the only relative of the giraffe.
Okapi was discovered by British explorer and diplomat Henry Hamilton Johnston in the second half of the nineteenth century. When he was governor of Uganda he had the opportunity to receive from the locals the skin and heads of an animal that looked like a donkey. No other scientist had seen an Okapi. The animal was named Okapia johnstoni in honor of Henry Johnston.
After the discovery, the news spread to the world and many museums and zoos showed interest in these new animals. The problem was that they could not be transported from Africa because of the high mortality rate. It was difficult to transport by train or boat. The situation was resolved with the arrival of the plane. The first specimen arrived in Europe in 1918 in Belgium at Antwerp.
In 2011 several zoos owned 154 okapi, and in 2014 the number increased to 176. Most of these specimens were born in captivity. The first okapi born in captivity was at Stanleyville Zoo on April 19, 1941. There are also okapi as pets in private collections. Bernie Kosar owns 25 in Ohio.
In our country there are no living okapi, but you can see a copy at the Grigore Antipa Museum in Bucharest. A local legend spines that the okapi do their back stripes to camouflage themselves. Okapi comes from two words of the locals. "oka" – to cut and" kpi " - the pattern of stripes with which the EFE tribe colors their arrows.
At the moment it is not an endangered species, but they are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss due to tree felling. One-fifth of okapi's total area has been established as the okapi Wildlife Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site for okapi.
About 5,000 live in the Reserve, and the total population of okapi is estimated at 10,000. In the Reserve is a conservation and Research Center where a breeding program of Okapi specimens is carried out. It is this center that provides animals to zoos.
Okapi Food
It feeds on leaves. The long neck allows him to reach them more easily. He uses his long tongue to pull them out.
Besides fruit, it feeds on a wide variety of plants, fruits, mushrooms, ferns and herbs. Many of the plants it feeds on are poisonous to humans.
Observations from nature have confirmed that the okapi gets its mineral and salt needs from the edge of the rivers.
Okapi Features
It is 2-2.5 meters long, 1.5-2 meters tall and weighs 200-350 kg. The long neck allows it to reach the leaves of trees. The robust body is covered by a dark tan fur. The back has white stripes that help camouflage it. The ankles of the legs are white.
The relative head has large ears and shows two bony stumps. The tongue of black color is up to 35 cm long. With his long tongue he can clean his face, eyes and ears.
His long neck helps him defend himself against predators. It swings its head left and right and hits predators with its stumps. besides the head, he also defends with his feet. Strong hooves can give serious blows. Communication is through a specific puff.
Males have larger territory than females. Their territories often overlap. They are marked with their own scent by rubbing against trees and by marking with urine.
They are shy animals that rely on the vegetation that surrounds them to hide from predators. It is a diurnal animal active during the day. He spends most of his time searching for food.
Outside the mating period are solitary animals. If they meet they are tolerated, and when food is plentiful they can gather in small groups to quench their hunger.
Okapi's biggest predators are the leopard it hardly hears and the man who destroys its habitat. Okapi can run at a speed of 60km/h.
Reproduction Okapi
Socialize only during the reproductive period. Males fight for territories or mating.
After mating follows the gestation period lasts a long time compared to many animals, 16 months. After this period the female okapi gives birth to a cub. As with the Giraffe, the little one gets up and walks shortly after birth. After birth the female takes the cub to the shelter where it remains for two months.
The young are similar in color to adults from infancy, but sexual maturity at the age of three. They are weaned after six months, but still suck breast milk for another six months.
