The Zoo

Okapi

Adopt online

Our Standard Adoption scheme includes all this for just £50.00:

A special Adoption Certificate.
A car sticker.
Stickers.
A bookmark.
A photo of a Okapi.
One adult day ticket
Animal fact sheet, so you'll know all about the Okapi.
Access to the online Adopters Zone.
Recognition on the adopter board at the Okapi enclosure.

Want to help even more? Choose Premium Adoption below!

We also have a group adoption scheme for just £55 which is perfect for schools & clubs – call us on 01962 777988 to find out more.

Premium Adoption Upgrade

Help us even more and upgrade to our Premium Adoption.

As a thank you, Premium adopters will also receive an extra day pass (two in total) and a voucher to use in our Gift Shop.

Yes, please make this a Premium Adoption for £100

Your details

Title

First name

Surname

Address

Town or city

Post code

Country

Telephone

Please include your area code.

Date of birth

The adoptions confirmation will be sent to this address.

I am renewing this adoption

Constituent ID number

This is on your renewal letter

Gift Purchases

This adoption is a gift for someone else

Gift sender name

e.g. Mummy and Daddy, Father Christmas

Recipient's Title

Recipient's first name

Recipient's surname

The recipient's address is the same as mine

Address

Town or city

Post code

Country

Telephone

Please include the area code.

Date of birth

This gift is for a special occasion

Occasion type

Other occasion

Date of occasion

This is the date when the adoption will start.

Please send the adoption pack to the recipient

If left un-ticked we'll send the adoption pack to you.

Terms and Conditions

I agree to the terms and conditions of the adoption

Continue

About the Okapi

What do I eat?

Okapi are known to eat the leaves of over one hundred plant species. They use their flexible, prehensile tongues to pluck leaves from branches and pull them into their mouths.

Where do I live?

Okapis live in tropical rainforests in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Breeding

Okapis give birth to a single calf after a 14 month gestation period. An okapi calf can be on its feet and suckling within half an hour of being born. Shortly after giving birth, the mother will leave her calf in a hiding place, and only come back to it occasionally in the first two months of its life. Okapi calves double their weight in their first month!

Predators

Leopards are the main predator of okapis. The stripes on okapis’ legs and rump help to break up the outline of their body and camouflage them in the shadows of the rainforest.

Conservation

The main threat facing the okapi is habitat loss, mainly due to settlement and logging. Okapis are protected under Congolese law and a significant number are found in protected areas.

Fast facts

Status Endangered

Size Head-body length 200-210cm; Height 180cm

Weight 180-320kg

Gestation 14 months

Young 1

Life span Up to 33 years

Gift Pack!

Did you know?

An okapi’s tongue is about 35cm in length, and is long enough for them to lick their own eyelids and ears.

Okapis have oily fur which makes it waterproof!

Okapis have scent glands on each foot, which leave behind a tar-like substance to show where they have been.

Okapis weren’t discovered by western scientists until 1901.

Ready to
dive in?

Check our ticket prices or...

Book tickets online