Following a devastating blow to Okapi
conservation efforts this summer, a ray of hope arrived for this threatened
species:  a healthy Okapi calf was born
on September 15 at the Antwerp Zoo.

Conservationists were stunned when poachers
raided the Okapi Wildlife Resrve in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in
June, wiping out the entire breeding herd of 14 Okapi and killing 19
people.   But far from the scene of the
attack, the staff of the Antwerp Zoo was closely monitoring Sofie the Okapi during
her pregnancy.

During
Sofie’s pregnancy, which was her sixth, the zoo’s veterinary staff took
advantage of her easygoing demeanor to learn all they could about her
developing calf through frequent ultrasounds, hoping that the knowledge gained will
improve captive Okapi breeding success.

Zoo
breeding programs are more important than ever in light of the June
attack.  Okapi are found only in the
Democratic Republic of Congo. Clearing of rain forest
for agriculture and tropical hardwoods, mining, poaching and the political and
socio-economic unrest in the region contribute to the Okapi’s uncertain future.

The
Antwerp Zoo oversees the breeding program for Okapi in European zoos in an
effort to maintain genetic diversity in the captive population.  Okapi are related to giraffes, as evidenced
by their long tongues and long necks. 
The bold stripes are unique to each Okapi, much like a person’s
fingerprints.  These stripes provide
ideal camouflage in their native jungle habitat.

Photo Credits:  Antwerp Zoo