The okapi (
Okapia johnstoni) is one of the world's most recently discovered
mammals. This is largely because it is a
wary and
elusive creature that retreats at the slightest intrusion. Although there had been rumours of its existance many years, it was not formally described until 1901 when the
naturalist Sir Harry Johnston found specimens in the
Congo. Its closest relative is the
giraffe, though they more closely resemble the
zebra.
Unlike most animals, the
males of the species of okapi are smaller than the
females. They can
reproduce at any time during the
year, though they usually do so between May and June and between November and December. Female okapi usually give
birth every 15 to 17 months. Okapi
calves suckle from their
mother until they are nearly ten months old.
Gestation - 421-457 days
Number of young - 1
Height at birth - 72-83cm (2.2-2.7ft) at
shoulder
Weight at birth - 16kg (35lb)
Weaned - 8-10 months
Sexual maturity (males) - 4 years
Sexual maturity (females) - 3 years
Longevity in captivity - 33 years (not known in
wild)
Since its discovery by whites, the
population of the okapi has declined. Once common in
Uganda and
Zaire, it is now only found in the latter. Despite it being declared a protected
species in 1933, it is very difficult to
enforce in their
dense habitat and
poaching continues.