New okapi, Ruby
We have welcomed Ruby, a new okapi, to play a vital part in the conservation of the species.
Discover how animal exchanges between zoos are protecting genetics and promoting diversity.
New okapi, Ruby
We have welcomed Ruby, a new okapi, to play a vital part in the conservation of the species.
Discover how animal exchanges between zoos are protecting genetics and promoting diversity.
The okapi is a much-loved and mysterious species here at Chester Zoo, with our team of experts working closely with other zoos across Europe to protect this striking ‘forest giraffe’ and raise the next generation of healthy offspring.
The zoo’s resident male, Stomp, has been matched to a new mate, Ruby, who has come to stay with us from Yorkshire Wildlife Park (YWP). The carefully planned exchange sees our female okapi, Kora, head to Yorkshire as part of the vital breeding programme to protect this endangered species.
Collaboration & connections
Here at Chester Zoo, our conservation work spreads much further than the zoo itself and our experts are constantly working with partners around the world to protect species.
Creating a healthy and thriving population of animals is a key part of this work which is why we’re part of EAZA Ex situ Programmes (EEPs) alongside zoos and aquaria across Europe. By joining forces with a wide network of zoos we’re able to help protect the future for some of world’s most vulnerable animals, including the okapi which is classed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The okapi EEP has a specialist coordinator who has a specific interest in okapi and the conservation strategy to protect them.
Working together with a Species Committee, the coordinator spends time to collect information of the status of all the okapi in zoos, producing a studbook (an official record of all purebred animals and their lineage) and creating a plan to help give the okapi the best possible future for generations to come.
Genes play an important part of a healthy population and yearly plans are made around which animals are the best match genetically. This is when the matchmaking process takes place, just like the exchange of Kora and Ruby and the ideal genetic pairing with Stomp, here at Chester Zoo.
The flow of animals between zoos to protect diversity and encourage breeding has become a trickier process since Brexit restrictions were introduced and a recent outbreak of Bluetongue (a viral disease that is spread among animals, but can’t affect humans) has added even more restrictions for hoofstock, like the okapi, moving across Europe. Luckily, exchanges like Kora and Ruby’s are within the UK and make the process a lot smoother and speedier.
The flow of animals between zoos to protect diversity and encourage breeding has become a trickier process since Brexit restrictions were introduced and a recent outbreak of Bluetongue (a viral disease that is spread among animals, but can’t affect humans) has added even more restrictions for hoofstock, like the okapi, moving across Europe. Luckily, exchanges like Kora and Ruby’s are within the UK and make the process a lot smoother and speedier.
1. Founding population
These are the descendants of all current animals in a zoo population, ideally made up of a minimum of 20-30 unrelated individuals to make sure there’s enough genetic diversity for future generations.
2. Offspring
As the founding population begins to breed, it’s important for every zoo to record the lineage and genetic makeup of each animal to ensure that no individuals become too closely related and a long-term healthy future for the species can be created.
3. The network of zoos
This is where animal exchanges and programmes like the EEP are key to boosting diversity. Specialised computer programmes allow us to search every okapi in Europe and create matches and moves that protect the integrity and genes for every animal in European zoos.
Founding populations
Caring for and breeding a healthy population of okapi (and all other animals within zoos) means a lot of work and research is channelled into promoting new genetic diversity (the biological variation that occurs within species) and avoiding health issues that can happen when animals in zoos aren’t part of a wider breeding programme.
1. Founding population
These are the descendants of all current animals in a zoo population, ideally made up of a minimum of 20-30 unrelated individuals to make sure there’s enough genetic diversity for future generations.
2. Offspring
As the founding population begins to breed, it’s important for every zoo to record the lineage and genetic makeup of each animal to ensure that no individuals become too closely related and a long-term healthy future for the species can be created.
3. The network of zoos
This is where animal exchanges and programmes like the EEP are key to boosting diversity. Specialised computer programmes allow us to search every okapi in Europe and create matches and moves that protect the integrity and genes for every animal in European zoos.
Time will tell...
The length of Ruby and Kora’s exchange trip will depend on how mating goes between Stomp and Ruby, but hopes are that a pregnant Ruby may return to Yorkshire Wildlife Park in 2025. Our team of keepers and endocrinologists in our world-class science centre are currently looking for all the signs and hormonal markers that Ruby may be pregnant.
Out in the field
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the elusive and solitary okapi can be found in their native rainforest habitat, which is under threat from farming, logging, and human settlements. They are also prized as bushmeat by local communities and illegal armed forces make certain areas difficult for conservation work to happen.
With numbers declining by 50% in just over 20 years, the Okapi Conservation Project is a vital part of protecting the remaining wild population. We've been supporting okapi conservation for nearly 20 years and are now part of a global 10-year long project, in collaboration with the IUCN, to develop an action plan and investigate ways that we can help the last remaining populations to thrive.
Out in the field
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the elusive and solitary okapi can be found in their native rainforest habitat, which is under threat from farming, logging, and human settlements. They are also prized as bushmeat by local communities and illegal armed forces make certain areas difficult for conservation work to happen.
With numbers declining by 50% in just over 20 years, the Okapi Conservation Project is a vital part of protecting the remaining wild population. We've been supporting okapi conservation for nearly 20 years and are now part of a global 10-year long project, in collaboration with the IUCN, to develop an action plan and investigate ways that we can help the last remaining populations to thrive.
Time will tell...
The length of Ruby and Kora’s exchange trip will depend on how mating goes between Stomp and Ruby, but hopes are that a pregnant Ruby may return to Yorkshire Wildlife Park in 2025. Our team of keepers and endocrinologists in our world-class science centre are currently looking for all the signs and hormonal markers that Ruby may be pregnant.
Come face to face with okapi
If the okapis' shy and secretive side has made you curious to discover more, we have an Experience that allows you to join our okapi experts for feeding time, where you can get up close and watch our okapi use their prehensile tongue to grab tasty leaves to eat.
You’ll learn even more about the okapi from your dedicated keeper and at the end of your Experience, you’ll leave with an exclusive gift, a personalised certificate and memories to last a lifetime.
Come face to face with okapi
If the okapis' shy and secretive side has made you curious to discover more, we have an Experience that allows you to join our okapi experts for feeding time, where you can get up close and watch our okapi use their prehensile tongue to grab tasty leaves to eat.
You’ll learn even more about the okapi from your dedicated keeper and at the end of your Experience, you’ll leave with an exclusive gift, a personalised certificate and memories to last a lifetime.
