Our camera trap captured something extraordinary: a female okapi quietly navigating the forest under the cover of night—followed just five minutes later by a male. These elusive “forest giraffes” are famously secretive, making sightings like this incredibly special. Solitary by nature, okapi come together only briefly to mate. Moments like these offer a precious glimpse into their hidden world—and remind us just how much remains unknown about their lives in the dense Ituri Forest. #Okapi #IturiF

Introducing a new member of our CMZ family, Bahati! This friendly male okapi came to us back in November 2016 from Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, FL. Since then, he has been getting used to his new surroundings and working with his keepers to shift to different areas of his exhibit. This week's warm weather was perfect timing for Bahati to explore his outdoor yard for the first time. Check out Bahati's adventures, which included soaking up some sunshine and making new friends! #BahatiTheOkapi #LowryPa

Why are okapi so cool? They look like a mix between a zebra and a giraffe — but they’re actually the giraffe’s only living relative! With their striped legs and long purple tongues, okapi are perfectly adapted for life in the dense forests of the Congo. Sadly, these incredible animals are endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. Protecting them means supporting global conservation efforts that preserve their rainforest habitat and help stop illegal hunting. Let’s show the okapi some love! Vi

In the wild, okapi can only be found in the Ituri Rainforest in the Congo. They are famous for being the last large mammal discovered in Africa in the early 1900s. Stop by to see our okapi pair, Sukari and Kwame, next to our Asian elephant bachelor yard. Watch this week’s replay to learn more: bit.ly/2wHMYBw | Houston Zoo

Despite being the only living relative of the giraffe, the okapi was unknown to the Western world until the early 1900s. It lives deep in the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, making it incredibly difficult to spot in the wild. Its camouflage — dark body with zebra-like stripes on its legs — helps it blend into the shadows and dappled light of the forest. Because of its shy, solitary nature and remote habitat, even researchers and conservationists rarely see them in the wild