Okapis are elusive forest ungulates related to giraffes. Their specialised ecology makes zoo welfare particularly challenging, requiring careful attention to diet, environment, and stress management.
Okapi welfare in zoos is complicated by their cryptic, solitary nature and their specialised rainforest ecology. Social housing requires careful management since forced proximity to conspecifics causes stress. Environmental complexity is critical — okapis use dense vegetation for camouflage and retreat, and barren or open enclosures fail to meet their ethological needs. Dietary challenges are significant: their narrow food preferences and requirement for diverse browse make nutrition management labour-intensive. Stress indicators include pacing, altered feeding, avoidance of public areas, and physiological markers including elevated cortisol. Best-practice institutions design rainforest-like environments with dense planting, humidity control, multiple retreat spaces, and minimal visitor-induced disturbance.