Okapiオカピ
Okapia johnstoniEN— Endangered
The okapi is a forest-dwelling relative of the giraffe, endemic to the Ituri rainforest of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite its zebra-striped legs, it shares a common ancestor with the giraffe roughly 11.5 million years ago and is one of only two living members of the giraffe family. Threatened by deforestation, illegal hunting, and armed conflict in its range, the okapi is classified as Endangered, with conservation efforts including the Okapi Conservation Project founded in 1987.
Okapi (reference photo)
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Species Data
Did You Know?
- Despite its zebra-like stripes, the okapi's closest living relative is the giraffe — the two are the only surviving members of the family Giraffidae. Source
- Okapis rarely vocalize in a way audible to humans, communicating instead largely through low-frequency infrasound. Source
- Genetic studies indicate the common ancestor of giraffes and okapis lived approximately 11.5 million years ago. Source
Where to See This Species
3 facilities · 0 individuals
横浜市立よこはま動物園 (Yokohama Shiritsu Yokohama Doubutsuen)KanagawaOpened in 1999
「アフリカの熱帯雨林」エリアで展示。1999年に日本で初めて公開し、2024年7月30日に出産。 Source
横浜市立金沢動物園 (Yokohama Shiritsu Kanazawa Doubutsuen)KanagawaOpened in 1982
「アフリカ区」で1996年生まれの雄「キィァンガ」を展示。 Source
東京都恩賜上野動物園 (Toukyoutoonshiueno Doubutsuen)TokyoOpened in 1882
東京都恩賜上野動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source
Conservation Story
Conservation Status
IUCNレッドリストで絶滅危惧(Endangered)に指定されている。
Habitat
コンゴ民主共和国のイトゥリ盆地を中心とした熱帯雨林に生息する、同国固有種。
Threats
- 森林伐採や鉱山開発による生息地の消失
- 食肉・毛皮目的の違法な狩猟
- 武装勢力による保護区への襲撃
Conservation & Breeding Efforts
- 1987年設立のオカピ保全プロジェクト(Okapi Conservation Project)
- 国際血統登録に基づく飼育下繁殖計画(Species Survival Plan)。世界の認定動物園で約100頭が飼育されている
Sources
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FAQ
- Is the okapi related to zebras?
- No. Despite its striped legs, the okapi's closest living relative is the giraffe — together they are the only two surviving species in the family Giraffidae. Source
- Why is the okapi endangered?
- Deforestation, mining, illegal hunting for bushmeat and hides, and attacks on protected areas by armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have driven the okapi's Endangered status. Source
- Where do okapis live in the wild?
- Okapis are endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, found only in the dense Ituri rainforest and other forests north and east of the Congo River. Source
Source: www.hama-midorinokyokai.or.jp www.hama-midorinokyokai.or.jp www.iucnredlist.org