AssetID: 54924389
Headline: Rare Okapi Birth Captured on Camera at British Zoo
Caption: The extraordinary moment an okapi gave birth has been captured on CCTV at a British Zoo. The calf, born to mum Ada and dad Stomp after a 14-month pregnancy, was born at Chester Zoo in the early hours of 6 May. The dramatic footage shows the calf’s entry into the world — a sudden fall to the ground followed by an astonishing recovery, as he clambers to his feet within minutes and takes his first unsteady steps. It's a scene few people ever get to witness, given the species’ secretive nature. Keepers have since revealed the newborn is male and have named him Miloli, a word meaning "Joy" in Bantu — a family of languages spoken across central Africa. For the first few weeks of life, Miloli remained hidden in a quiet nesting area, bonding with Ada and gaining strength. But the shy youngster has now ventured outdoors, exploring the sunlight for the very first time. Native to the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), okapis are so elusive they remained unknown to western science until 1901. This mysterious reputation has earned them the nickname «African unicorn». Fiona Howe, Lead Keeper at Chester Zoo, shared her awe: "The birth of an okapi is always a cause for celebration, but witnessing Ada gently welcoming her calf and encouraging him to stand was nothing short of magical. It offers a rare glimpse into the secretive life of one of nature’s most mysterious animals. "Miloli has spent his early days tucked safely in a secluded nest, while Ada foraged nearby and returned to nurse him regularly. She’s been a wonderfully attentive mother and is doing everything just right. And although it looks like Miloli is wearing stripey socks, those black-and-white leg patterns serve a real purpose — they help calves follow their mothers through the forest. Now confident enough to leave the nest, Miloli has been seen following Ada’s striped legs into their outdoor habitat for the first time." The okapi is not only a national symbol of the DRC but also a protected species under Congolese law. Despite this, its population has plummeted by over 50% in the past two decades due to illegal hunting, habitat destruction, and ongoing conflict in the region. The species is currently classified as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Sue Walker, Head of Science at Chester Zoo, highlighted the institution’s ongoing contribution to okapi conservation: "Our team has been supporting okapi breeding efforts for over 15 years. By analysing hormone levels in faecal samples using cutting-edge technology, we can confirm behavioural observations made by our keepers and gain deeper insights into their biology. These findings directly inform international breeding programmes that are crucial to the species’ survival." Chester Zoo is also actively involved in fieldwork, partnering with the Uganda Wildlife Authority to carry out okapi surveys in Semuliki National Park, near the DRC border. In addition, the zoo provides long-term support to the Okapi Conservation Project in the Ituri Forest, DRC — one of the species’ last strongholds in the wild.
Keywords: feature,photo feature,photo story
PersonInImage: