Marwell Wildlife is celebrating the start of a uncommon okapi calf, marking a major milestone for the conservation of this endangered species.
The calf’s mom Niari was herself born at Marwell 5 years in the past to Daphne and Jabari. This marks an unimaginable third-generation success, highlighting the zoo’s experience in breeding and caring for okapi.
The species, sometimes called the ‘forest giraffe’ is native to the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo and faces growing threats from habitat loss, poaching and unlawful mining, with fewer than 10,000 people estimated to stay within the wild.
Zoe Newnham, Hoofstock Senior Animal Keeper, stated: “This start is a large milestone for us and for okapi conservation. Efficiently breeding a 3rd technology underscores the experience and dedication of our workforce and it has been particularly rewarding to have labored with Niari from start all the best way to now seeing her as a mum herself. Niari has been an attentive and sensible mum to date, and the calf we’ve got named Kayemba, after a spot within the Democratic Republic of Congo, is doing very properly, feeding often, nesting, and sometimes exploring his environment underneath Niari’s watchful eye. Each new arrival brings hope for the survival of this extraordinary species.”
Kayemba was born on 28 October following a 14-month gestation interval. Within the wild, okapi moms depart their calves hidden in dense vegetation, returning solely to nurse them. This instinctive behaviour helps defend the weak newborns from predators.
Curiously, okapi calves don’t defecate for the primary 40 to 60 days of life—a novel adaptation thought to cut back the probability of detection by predators. It is important that new moms bond with their infants instantly for the survival of the calf, so keepers have been retaining a watchful eye on the pair behind the scenes.
The okapi home is now open, nonetheless friends hoping to catch a glimpse of the brand new arrival will want endurance, because the calf stays in a ‘nesting’ section.
Zoe defined: “We all know friends might be excited to see Kayemba, however we wish to guarantee that each animals get pleasure from some peace and quiet, as that is important within the first few weeks of the nesting interval. Okapis are very shy animals and so we desire to maintain okapi dams and calves in a relaxed and quiet atmosphere to cut back noise and stress ranges, with calves turning into extra assured as they develop. Kayemba will stay safely tucked away in its nest, however will sometimes enterprise out to discover, so friends could also be fortunate sufficient to catch a fast glimpse throughout this time.”
Regardless of their zebra-like stripes on their hindquarters which assist camouflage them within the shadows of the rainforest, okapis are extra carefully associated to giraffes, and their elusive nature meant they remained undiscovered till 1901.
Marwell performs an important position within the EAZA Ex situ Programme (EEP) for okapis making certain a genetically numerous and sustainable inhabitants.
Zoe, added: “The start of the brand new calf is an thrilling and emotional time for the workforce. Working with the species is an enormous privilege and lots of onerous work and dedication goes into creating optimistic bonds with them each day. Whereas moments like this are trigger for celebration, in addition they remind us of the pressing want to guard wild populations.”
Marwell Zoo is a conservation and schooling charity working for steadiness within the pure world. For extra info, go to marwell.org.uk
