The okapi (Okapia johnstoni), often called the forest giraffe, is the only living relative of the giraffe. Its striking appearance features a rich, dark coat contrasted by distinct horizontal white stripes across its legs and hindquarters, resembling a zebra. This elusive animal was unknown to Western science until 1901. Due to its perilously low population, the okapi is now considered in danger of extinction.
Current Wild Population Estimate
The precise number of okapi remaining in the wild is extremely difficult to determine. Most recent estimates suggest the population is between 10,000 and 15,000 individuals. This wide range reflects the challenges of conducting comprehensive surveys in their dense, remote habitat. The species is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to a steep decline in numbers.
Surveys often rely on indirect evidence, such as camera traps and fecal analysis, rather than direct sightings. Obtaining an exact count is nearly impossible given the political instability and thick, inaccessible nature of the equatorial rainforest.
Unique Features and Native Habitat
Despite its zebra-like markings, the okapi shares the taxonomic family Giraffidae with the giraffe. Features include a long, dark blue prehensile tongue and characteristic bone-covered skin structures called ossicones, which males possess. The okapi’s velvety, oily, dark reddish-brown coat provides excellent camouflage against the dense undergrowth. The oily secretion helps repel water in the humid environment.
The okapi is endemic exclusively to the tropical rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Central Africa. Its natural range is centered in the northeastern part of the country, primarily within the Ituri and Aruwimi Forests.
Drivers of Population Decline
The primary factor driving the okapi’s dwindling numbers is the accelerating rate of habitat loss within the Ituri Forest. This destruction is fueled by illegal logging, slash-and-burn agriculture, and small-scale mining operations for gold, coltan, and diamonds. These activities cause widespread deforestation, chemical pollution, and forest fragmentation.
Poaching is another direct threat, driven by the demand for bushmeat, distinctive hides, and the illegal trade of so-called okapi oil. This illegal resource exploitation is exacerbated by persistent civil unrest and the presence of armed militia groups operating in the eastern DRC.
These groups frequently occupy protected areas, preventing rangers and conservation staff from safely conducting patrols and monitoring activities. The instability in the region severely limits the effectiveness of conservation measures and emboldens poachers and illegal miners.
International Conservation Efforts
A crucial element of the okapi’s protection is the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a vast protected area in the Ituri Forest designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Local conservation projects, such as the Okapi Conservation Project, work with the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation to train and equip anti-poaching teams. These teams patrol the reserve to dismantle illegal camps and secure the okapi’s core habitat.
Outside the DRC, international zoos maintain a genetically viable assurance population through coordinated captive breeding programs. This population of approximately 200 okapi acts as a safeguard against catastrophic loss and preserves genetic diversity for potential future reintroductions.
Conservation strategies also include community-based initiatives focused on public education and providing local populations with alternative, sustainable livelihoods. These programs are designed to reduce dependence on destructive practices like poaching and illegal logging.