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Summary of Transcript:
Kendall, one of the hoofstock keepers at the Houston Zoo, is talking about their Okapi. They are the only living relative of giraffes and are found in Africa’s deepest, darkest rainforests. They have adapted to live in dense rainforest areas and have stripes on their hind legs to blend in with the shadows of the ground. They have big ears to hear up to two miles away, and their fur is soft and velvety. They live with two Stanley cranes, Nat and Ella, and two yellowback Dikers, Daryl and Pumpkin. The Houston Zoo has three Okapi, Tsukari, Kwame, and three-year-old Kabuli, born at the zoo. They are an endangered species, and the Houston Zoo is helping to conserve the population through its successful breeding program. The Okapi eats romaine lettuce, kale, wax myrtle browse, and leaves from trees and bushes growing on the zoo grounds.
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Summary of Description:
Okapi is a rare species of mammal found only in the Ituri Rainforest of the Congo. They were only discovered in the early 1900s and can be seen in the wild or the Asian elephant bachelor yard at the zoo.
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Exploring the Mysterious Okapi of the Congo
The Congo is home to a mysterious creature that has captivated people’s imaginations worldwide: the Okapi. This unique mammal was only discovered in the early 1900s and is native to the Ituri Rainforest in the Congo.
The Okapi is a fascinating creature with a unique appearance. It has a dark reddish-brown coat with white stripes and zebra-like markings. It also has a long neck and a long tongue, both of which help it to reach leaves in the rainforest canopy. The Okapi stands around 5 feet tall and weighs up to 600 pounds.
The Okapi is a solitary creature that is rarely seen in the wild. It is a herbivore and feeds mainly on leaves and fruits. It is most active at night and spends its days hiding in the dense rainforest vegetation.
At the Bronx Zoo, visitors can glimpse two okapis, Sukari and Kwame, living in the Asian elephant bachelor yard. These two okapis are part of the zoo’s conservation efforts to help protect this endangered species.
The Okapi is an amazing creature that is both mysterious and captivating. It is a reminder of the incredible biodiversity of the Congo and the importance of protecting this fragile ecosystem. If you ever get the chance, be sure to stop by the Bronx Zoo and take a peek at Sukari and Kwame!
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Source Description
In the wild, Okapi can only be found in the Ituri Rainforest in the Congo. They are famous for being the last large mammal discovered in Africa in the early 1900s. Please see our okapi pair, Sukari, and Kwame, next to our Asian elephant bachelor yard.
