Okapi (Okapia johnstoni).
Image: k7hpn, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The okapi is a forest-dwelling relative of the giraffe, endemic to the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is assessed as Endangered.
Its dark coat and boldly striped hindquarters provide camouflage in dense forest; it was unknown to Western science until the early 1900s.
Range & habitat
Endemic to the rainforests of the northern and eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Habitat loss from logging and settlement
- Hunting for meat and skins
- Instability across parts of its range
Why it matters
Found nowhere else, the shy okapi is a flagship for Congo Basin rainforest and an indicator of how secure that forest is.
Gallery
An okapi and calf — Endangered in the wild.
Image: Alan Eng from Brussels, Belgium, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources
Sources for Okapi
- IUCN Red List — look up Okapi (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the okapi related to the zebra?
Why is the okapi Endangered?
Last updated: