Okapis are endangered and confined to a small area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Zoo populations play an increasingly important insurance role as wild populations face severe threats.
Okapi welfare in zoo settings carries heightened importance given the conservation significance of every individual in what is a critically small managed population. The combination of their shy, stress-sensitive nature and their conservation value demands that zoos provide the quietest, most naturalistic environments possible for this species. Okapi births require careful pre-parturition preparation including provision of private birthing areas, experienced keeper oversight without intrusion, and post-birth monitoring that balances welfare against the essential need to verify calf health. The Okapi Conservation Project, working in the DRC alongside zoo breeding programmes, represents the comprehensive conservation approach that gives wild okapi populations the best chance of long-term survival.