Zoo announces birth of rare, endangered okapi calf

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Oklahoma City Zoo announced the birth of a rare, endangered okapi calf on Wednesday.

The calf was born on Wednesday at 3:42 a.m. in the zoo's okapi barn.

The male calf is the first offspring born to 6-year-old mother Kayin and 4-year-old father Bosomi and the seventh okapi calf born at the zoo. The last okapi born at the OKC Zoo was mother Kayin in 2015.

“We are overjoyed about the arrival of Kayin’s first calf and welcoming this new generation to our okapi family,” said Tracey Dolphin, OKC Zoo’s curator of hoofstock and primates. “Kayin is being a very attentive first-time mother and demonstrating exceptional maternal care. Her new calf is healthy and strong, and meeting his milestones including nursing and bonding with mom.”

Zoo officials said the mother and her calf are in good health and enjoying time off public view.

The zoo’s veterinary care team did a wellness exam on the calf, checking his overall body condition and vitals, and obtaining his weight, which clocked in at nearly 57 pounds.

Caretakers said that the calf was standing and nursing an hour after being born, both said to be crucial events.

Kayin’s calf will remain behind the scenes at the okapi barn as he enters a “nesting” phase for several weeks.

The calf has not yet been named.