News Release

May 19, 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Okapi Calf Born at Brookfield Zoo

Birth Contributes to Helping Save This Endangered Species

Brookfield, Ill.—A male okapi, also known as a “forest giraffe,” was born at Brookfield Zoo on April 21. The calf, named Will, was born to 4-year-old Augusta K., a first-time mom. Currently, the calf is off exhibit, but guests can see him via a live video feed that is set up in the zoo’s Habitat Africa! The Forest.

During Will’s first few months of life, he will spend the majority of his time in an indoor nesting area. In the wild, a mother okapi leaves her calf at a protected nesting site to keep it hidden from predators. She returns only to allow the calf to nurse. Once Will is more active at about 3 months old, guests will be able to see him exploring his outdoor habitat with Augusta.
           
The Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield Zoo, assisted in the establishment of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Okapi Species Survival Plan (SSP) in 1982. The zoo was the site of the first okapi birth in North America in 1959 and has had 27 successful births, including the newest addition. The Okapi SSP manages the breeding of the species in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining breeding population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable. The pairing of Augusta K. and Hiari, the calf’s sire, was based on a recommendation from the SSP. Currently, there are just over 90 okapi in 23 accredited North American institutions. In addition, there are other zoos outside North America, including in South Africa, Europe, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, that also participate in breeding efforts for this endangered species.
           
The Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group (GOSG) of the IUCN Species Survival Commission was established in March 2013 due to the declining numbers of okapi, as well as their closest relative: giraffes. This global initiative is helping to attract and strengthen international support for the two species and provides an official forum to support the implementation of much-needed conservation strategies for the species across Africa.

The breeding program and conservation efforts for this species are vital to its survival. Population numbers of okapi have been declining and are predicted to continue on this downward trend due to habitat loss, human settlement, mining, war and political instability in these animals’ region, and the bushmeat trade.        
           
Okapi are a rare hoofed mammal native to the dense Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). American and European scientists did not discover the species until the early 1900s. Because of okapi’s elusiveness, little has been known about their behavior in the wild, including how they raise their calves. The Chicago Zoological Society has been a leader in gathering information on mother-calf relationships and calf development. This information has been instrumental in developing husbandry methods to help okapi mothers raise their calves successfully.

Okapi have creamy white stripes on their hind end and front upper legs and white “ankle stockings” on their lower legs. The stripes help okapi blend into the shadows of the forest and make them very difficult to see, even when they are only a few feet away. Scientists speculate that okapi’s contrasting stripes are important for calf imprinting and act as a signal for a newborn to follow close behind its mother.

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About the Chicago Zoological Society
The Chicago Zoological Society inspires conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature. The Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Society is known throughout the world for Brookfield Zoo's innovative, naturalistic, multispecies exhibits and for its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation. Open every day of the year, the zoo is located off First Avenue between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and is also accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA, and PACE bus service. For further information, visit www.CZS.org.
 

PHOTOS

Photos by Jim Schulz/Chicago Zoological Society

3183.jpg: Will, a 1-month-old okapi calf at Brookfield Zoo, with his mom Augusta K. The okapi also known as the “forest giraffe” is a rare hoofed mammal native to the dense Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Population numbers of okapi have been declining and are predicted to continue on this downward trend due to habitat loss, human settlement, mining, war and political instability in these animals’ region, and the bushmeat trade. A global initiative formed in 2013 is helping to attract and strengthen international support for the species, and its closest relative: the giraffe, by providing an official forum to support the implementation of much-needed conservation strategies.
 
2907.jpg: Will, a 1-month-old okapi calf at Brookfield Zoo, with his mom Augusta K. The okapi also known as the “forest giraffe” is a rare hoofed mammal native to the dense Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Brookfield Zoo was the site of the first okapi birth in North America in 1959 and has had 27 successful births, including the newest addition.
 
9269.jpg: An okapi calf was born at Brookfield Zoo on April 21. The okapi, named Will, is the 27th successful okapi born at Brookfield Zoo. American and European scientists did not discover the species until the early 1900s. Because of okapi’s elusiveness, little has been known about their behavior in the wild, including how they raise their calves. The Chicago Zoological Society, which operates the zoo, has been a leader in gathering information on mother-calf relationships and calf development. This information has been instrumental in developing husbandry methods to help okapi mothers raise their calves successfully.
 
3115.jpg: Will, an okapi calf born at Brookfield Zoo on April 21 is the 27th successful okapi born at the zoo. The okapi also known as the “forest giraffe” is a rare hoofed mammal native to the dense Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Population numbers of okapi have been declining and are predicted to continue on this downward trend due to habitat loss, human settlement, mining, war and political instability in these animals’ region, and the bushmeat trade. A global initiative formed in 2013 is helping to attract and strengthen international support for the species, and its closest relative: the giraffe, by providing an official forum to support the implementation of much-needed conservation strategies.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sondra Katzen
Public Relations
Office: 708-688-8351
Cell Phone: 708-903-2071
E-mail: Sondra.Katzen@CZS.org

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