The okapi — a secretive relative of the giraffe found only in the Congo Basin — presents unique welfare challenges in captivity due to its solitary nature, sensitivity to stress, and specialised dietary needs.
Okapi welfare in captivity is shaped by their extreme sensitivity to environmental stressors. Capture myopathy — a condition in which muscle damage from extreme stress response causes organ failure — is a documented mortality risk during veterinary procedures, transport, and other handling events. This means that routine zoo interventions carry genuine welfare risk that must be weighed carefully. Their solitary nature means that social housing must be carefully managed; forced cohabitation can cause chronic stress. Dietary provision must reflect the species' browsing selectivity — access to browse material, varied vegetation, and mineral supplementation is important for health. Thermal management is critical: okapis are adapted to the stable temperatures of the equatorial Congo rainforest and are vulnerable to cold stress in temperate climates. Zoos holding okapis must invest heavily in appropriate heated housing, low-stress handling protocols, and enrichment that supports natural browsing behaviour.