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.

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.

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.

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) — Photo: Daniel Jolivet / CC BY 2.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Artiodactyla / Giraffidae Source
Size: Head-body length 190–250 cm, shoulder height 150–200 cm
Weight: Males about 250 kg, females about 300 kg
Lifespan: Captive: 15–20 years, with one reported case of an estimated 33 years
Diet: Herbivore Herbivorous, using its long tongue to select leaves and young shoots
Distribution: Endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, found in the Ituri rainforest and other forested regions north and east of the Congo River. Source
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

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

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 3

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Endangered (EN)

Sources

en.wikipedia.org ja.wikipedia.org

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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
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 3 Source

Books & gear

Source: www.hama-midorinokyokai.or.jp www.hama-midorinokyokai.or.jp www.iucnredlist.org