Okapis are secretive, solitary forest ungulates whose welfare in captivity requires specialist management of their temperament, dietary needs, and vulnerability to stress-related disease.
Okapi welfare in zoos is particularly challenging because of their extreme stress sensitivity. The okapi herpesvirus, which causes fatal haemorrhagic disease, is triggered by immune suppression from stressors including transport, social conflict, and environmental changes. Zoo deaths from this virus are relatively common and often trace to preceding stressful events. This means that okapi management must prioritise stress minimisation above almost all other considerations, limiting the frequency of veterinary interventions, animal movements, and management changes. Their dietary requirement for browse diversity demands significant horticultural investment from zoos. Despite these challenges, well-managed okapi programmes contribute to genetic management of the captive population and serve important conservation and educational functions.