Rainforest Wild Adventure welcomes first okapi born in Southeast Asia
The public is invited to help name the okapi calf.
On July 27, Rainforest Wild Adventure in Singapore welcomed the birth of an okapi calf, marking the first such birth in Southeast Asia. The male calf, born to first-time parents Kisala and Xandor, weighs 48 kg, more than double its birth weight. Currently housed with its mother in the Hidden Forest at Rainforest Wild Adventure East, the calf is slowly adjusting to its new surroundings under the watch of curators.
A live baby monitor is available for visitors who wish to catch a glimpse of the calf. The okapi, a cousin to giraffes, is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is classified as an endangered species. Mandai Wildlife Group, which cares for okapis, notes that the calf's parents were part of an EAZA Ex situ Programme (EEP) for threatened species.
Visitors can help name the calf, with options inspired by African languages such as Imara, Mayaka, and Kiah. To celebrate the calf's arrival, okapi-themed treats and souvenirs will be available at the park.
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