Okapi, Okapi! Oh How You've Grown! Rare 'Forest Giraffe' Calf Steps Out at Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo's six-week-old okapi calf, Arabi, has taken her first steps outside, marking a rare moment of celebration for the endangered species. Born to parents K’tusha and Stomp, Arabi is one of fewer than 10,000 okapis remaining in the wild, according to estimates. The okapi species, often referred to as the 'forest giraffe' due to their long necks and zebra-like stripes, faces a high risk of extinction in the wild. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the species as endangered, as their population continues to dwindle due to habitat loss, hunting, and conflict. The birth of Arabi at Chester Zoo, which has a 20-year history of supporting okapi conservation, represents a 'vital' addition to global okapi population. Chester Zoo is a part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP), which aims to maintain a genetically diverse population of okapis in conservation zoos.

Source