Okapis are the only living relative of giraffes, found in the Congo Basin. Their welfare in zoos depends on quiet, low-stress environments and careful social management reflecting their solitary forest lifestyle.
Okapi welfare in captivity is primarily determined by environmental tranquillity. These shy, solitary forest animals evolved in one of the most acoustically and visually complex but relatively undisturbed habitats on Earth — the Ituri Forest. Captive environments with high visitor noise, unusual sounds, or unpredictable human movement cause chronic stress that suppresses reproductive function and behavioural repertoire. The small global captive population makes individual reproductive success critical for species management, creating an intersection between welfare and conservation where reducing stress directly serves both goals. Low-noise exhibit design, visual barriers from visitor areas, and keeper interaction protocols that minimise surprise and unpredictability are the cornerstones of welfare-positive okapi management. The coordinated global breeding program depends on individual welfare being optimised to achieve reproductive success.