The animal known as the okapi also goes by the name forest giraffe or zebra giraffe. This animal is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. What makes this animal unique is that is looks like a cross between a zebra and a giraffe. The back end and the legs of this animal are striped black and white like a zebra. The body including the neck resembles that of the giraffe. The okapi grows to be around 5 foot tall and weighs between 440 and 770 pounds. The neck is elongated with flexible ears. This gives it similar features to the giraffe.
The okapi is a diurnal animal but it may become active at night. These animals tend to live alone unless they are getting together during mating season. A single calf is born to the female after a 450 day gestation period. The okapi is a herbivore and eats leaves, grass, fern, fruit, and even some fungi. The calves rely on the milk from their month until they are three months old when solid food is introduced.
According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources the okapi is an endangered species. This animal is facing loss of habitat, hunting for their coats, and illegal mining. In 1987 the Okapi Conservation Project was started to protect this species and allow the population a chance to increase. The okapi is protected under the Congolese law and there are a number of wildlife reserves including the Okapi Wildlife Reserve and the Maiko National Park where these animals can live and roam under protection laws. At these reservations it is illegal to hunt the okapi.
The okapi is a very unique animal that is currently under protection. With the proper protection the okapi is on its way to making a comeback in the wild.
