The okapi, often known as the forest giraffe, is under severe threat from poachers, logging, illegal mining and unrest in their native areas of the north eastern rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.The okapi, often known as the forest giraffe, is under severe threat from poachers, logging, illegal mining and unrest in their native areas of the north eastern rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The okapi, often known as the forest giraffe, is under severe threat from poachers, logging, illegal mining and unrest in their native areas of the north eastern rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

'Incredibly rare' okapi calf born at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in major conservation landmark

In one of just four successful okapi births in Europe in 2021, staff at Yorkshire Wildlife park brought adorable Mzimu into the world two months ago.
By Caroline Howley
Published 23rd Dec 2021, 14:32 BST

Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s first okapi birth marked a major landmark for its conservation programme, with okapis on the IUCN red list of threatened species.

Read on for sweet photographs of Mzimu and his mother Ruby, and more about this endangered species.

The two-month-old is still being kept indoors by his protective mum Ruby but he is healthy and providing a welcome addition to the endangered species’ ranks.

1. Protective

The two-month-old is still being kept indoors by his protective mum Ruby but he is healthy and providing a welcome addition to the endangered species’ ranks.

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Their numbers have plummeted from 250,000 in 1901 to around 10,000 today.

2. Okapi

Their numbers have plummeted from 250,000 in 1901 to around 10,000 today.

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Ruby and Mzimu’s dad Nuru arrived at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in 2018 and are important members of the European Endangered Species Programme, with the birth of Mzimu hailed as a major advance for the species.

3. Ruby and Mzimu

Ruby and Mzimu’s dad Nuru arrived at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in 2018 and are important members of the European Endangered Species Programme, with the birth of Mzimu hailed as a major advance for the species.

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While okapi calves are very vulnerable in their first few months, little Mzimu appears to be thriving - and his progress so far has given a Christmas boost to the team’s Animal Team.

4.

While okapi calves are very vulnerable in their first few months, little Mzimu appears to be thriving - and his progress so far has given a Christmas boost to the team’s Animal Team.

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