Designing effective enrichment programs for okapis in captivity to support their unique behavioral needs as solitary forest-dwelling ungulates.
Okapis present unique enrichment challenges due to their solitary nature and specialized forest ecology. They cannot be socially enriched in the same way as gregarious species, but their natural behaviors — browsing diverse plant species, using their tongue to manipulate food, navigating complex terrain, and resting in sheltered spots — can all be supported in captivity. Effective enrichment includes browse variety from native plant species, puzzle feeders that require manipulation with the prehensile tongue, substrate variety underfoot, and opportunities to move through complex enclosure landscapes. Okapis are highly sensitive to novelty, so enrichment introduction must be gradual and carefully monitored to avoid stress.