World okapi day 2024
Tag: okapi
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World Okapi Day
About World Okapi Day
| How long until World Okapi Day? | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| World Okapi Evening . | |||
| Dates of World Okapi Day | |||
InternationalSun, Oct 18Observances Holiday InternationalSat, Oct 18Observances Holiday InternationalFri, Oct 18Observances Holiday InternationalWed, Oct 18Observances Holiday | |||
| Summary | |||
| Learn about the fascinating Okapi, its conservation challenges and how you can contribute to safeguarding this unique species' future. | |||
On October 18th each year, conservationists, wildlife enthusiasts, and character lovers come together to rejoice World Okapi Day. This one-of-a-kind event aims to raise knowledge about one of the most elusive and mysterious creatures in the animal kingdom – the okapi. With its remarkable appearance and the critical need for its conservation, the celebration of World Okapi Day is an opportunity to shine a brightness on this incredible animal.
Meet the Okapi: Africa's Hidden Treasure
The okapi (Okapia johnstoni) is a species native to the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa. This intriguing animal is often referred to as the "African unicorn" due to its striking appearance. It is k
World Okapi Day 2024: The Elusive Beauty of the Endangered Okapi
BiodiversityConservationCRISIS - Mass Extinction
by Assaf LevyAfricaOct 18th 20244 mins
Have you ever wondered if an animal could be so interesting that it seems like it is from a storybook? Imagine this: deep inside Africa’s lush forests lives an animal so fascinating that it almost feels made up. The Okapi, a unique and endangered creature, has amazed nature lovers. Let’s take a journey to learn about the Okapi, discover its secrets, understand the challenges it faces, and see the important work being done to protect it.
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The Okapi (Okapia johnstoni), often referred to as the “forest giraffe” or the “zebra giraffe”, is a species that combines the grace of a gazelle with the allure of a zebra, a fascinating creature that seems to have been plucked straight out of a storybook.
Despite its ancient origins, this elusive mammal was only discovered by scientists in the early 20th century. Its distinctive markings and natural defences against predators have helped it survive in the wild, even though it is notoriously difficult to observe. The okapi is so highly regarded in
Get involved to help wildlife
The okapi live in the dense jungle of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The opaki is under threat
Although it is a respected cultural symbol of the DRC (have had protect status since 1933), the opaki is threatened by human activities: slash-and-burn agriculture, illegal gold mining, logging, encroachment from human settlement and bush-meat poaching.
Enter the Opaki Conservation Project
Enter the Opaki Conservation Project which works to protect the natural habitat of the opaki and indigenous Mbuti pygmies who lives in the Opaki Wildlife Reserve. It also looks to promote the species around the world.
The reserve itself is a designated World Heritage Site. It sits within the Ituri Forest, and it encompasses 13,700 square kilometres. As well as the opaki, it is home to animals such as forest elephants, chimpanzees, 13 species of primates, leopards, bongo antelopes and a huge variety of birds and insects.
OpakiConservation undertakes wildlife protection, community assistance and conservation education. For instance, it has IUCN eco-guards to collect snares, evict miners, pursue and detain poachers, monito
Okapi are beautiful, elusive animals in the giraffe family. They are well adapted to their dense forest environment, having excellent hearing, strong bodies for moving through the forest, and oily hair which acts as waterproofing. Their distinctive, striped rump markings function as camouflage in the light-soaked understory, helping them hide from leopards, their main predator. They move quietly and are almost impossible to observe in the wild. Check out this new, rare camera trap footage of a wild okapi at Okapi Wildlife Reserve:
October 18 marked the second annual World Okapi Day. Once again, GRACE educators and other staff led the local community in the festivities. GRACE’s focus is on Grauer’s gorillas, so why celebrate a forest giraffe?
Despite being very different animals, Grauer’s gorillas and okapi actually have a lot in common. Both are only found in remote parts of eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), sometimes even in the same forests. Okapi are thought to live in the northwestern part of Tayna Nature Reserve, which is the reserve near GRACE that is home to around 300 Grauer’s gorillas. Because they live in areas that are difficult to access and