Okapi Unicorn

The okapi is a relative of the giraffe, has zebra-like stripes on its legs and rear and has two horns on its forehead. When viewed from the side the two horns can look like one horn which is believed to have inspired claims of unicorn sitings.

Although these doe-eyed animals may be viewed in zoos across the world, zoologists captured the first photos of the okapi in the wild in September 2008 in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.¹

Fast Facts

1. Pronounced: oh-COP-ee²
2. Height: Approximately 5 feet²
3. Weight: Males-440 to 660 pounds; females—495 to 770 pounds²
4. Life span: Averages 20 to 30 years²
5. Gestation: 14 to 16 months²
6. Number of young at birth: Usually one²
7. Were not discovered by scientists until the early 1900s²
8. The okapi are believe to be the animal that was mistaken for a unicorn¹
9. Okapi exist in the wild only in Congo¹
10. Camera traps were set up by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to captured photographs of the okapi in Virunga National Park³
11. Scientist believe the photographs are evidence that the okiapi has managed to survive war and poaching¹

Physical Characteristics

• The okapi is the last living relative of the giraffe. Similar to giraffes, okapis have very large, upright ears, which help them catch even slight sounds. Also like giraffes, they use their long, dark prehensile tongues to strip the buds and young leaves from the plants in their rain forest habitat. The zebra-like stripes on their hindquarters and front legs are believed to be camouflage in the partial sunlight that filters through the dense rain forest. The dark purplish or reddish brown fur of the okapi is oily, so water slides off. Only the males have the short horns, which are covered by skin. ²

Quotes

• "The photographs clearly show the stripes on their rear, which act like unique fingerprints. We have already identified three individuals, and further survey work will enable us to estimate population numbers and distribution in and around the Park, which is a critical first step in targeting conservation efforts."—Thierry Lusenge, a member of ZSL’s DRC survey team³

Related Pages on Mahalo

Rainforest | Zebras | Republic of Congo | Giraffe | Mammals | Unicorn Deer | Zoology

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