Sacramento Zoo Welcomes First-Ever Okapi Calf

The Sacramento Zoo celebrated a historic birth yesterday, announcing the arrival of a healthy male okapi calf born to mother Kivuli on October 9th.

This marks the first okapi birth in the zoo’s history, and the event was partially visible to visitors in the side yard of the okapi habitat. Zoo officials report that both Kivuli and the calf are in good health, and are being closely monitored by the animal care and veterinary teams to ensure successful bonding, nursing, and growth. The okapi is a solitary animal, making successful bonding crucial for the calf’s development.

Okapi are listed as endangered, with an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 remaining in the wild, primarily in the dense forests of central Africa. The birth is a significant contribution to the species’ conservation, as there are fewer than 100 okapi across 27 institutions within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. You can learn more about okapi conservation efforts through the Okapi Conservation Project.

The mother and calf will not be on public exhibit while the calf reaches critical developmental milestones. Officials stated they will provide updates as the calf grows and progresses.