Anticipation is building at the Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center in New Orleans as the facility awaits the imminent birth of a second okapi calf, a critical event for the endangered species. The expectant mother, an eight-year-old female named Aslili, is nearing the conclusion of her gestation period, which lasts approximately 14 months. This forthcoming arrival will be her second offspring, following the loss of her first calf, born in 2022, which succumbed to an untreatable congenital defect a few months after birth.
The dedicated animal care team is utilizing advanced monitoring, including internal camera systems, to observe Aslili closely. This allows staff to ensure the mother’s well-being and facilitate a safe delivery without intrusive presence. The father of the new calf is the 10-year-old male, Miraq, marking his first time as a sire. Given that Aslili proved to be an attentive mother to her first calf, staff are optimistic about the outcome for this new arrival.
Okapis, known as the "forest giraffe," are endemic to the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and are listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their wild population faces severe threats from relentless poaching, illegal mining, and significant habitat fragmentation due to human encroachment and deforestation. While accurate counts are difficult due to their elusive nature, wild population estimates vary, with some suggesting a decline of 50% over the past two decades.
The breeding effort at the Audubon Center is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), in which Audubon has participated since 2017. These managed programs are vital for maintaining a genetically diverse population as a potential safeguard against extinction in the wild. The center currently houses five okapis on its 26-acre property, which features specialized facilities for their care. Furthermore, the Audubon Nature Institute is scheduled to host the International Okapi Meeting next week, gathering conservation leaders from eight countries and 31 zoos to coordinate global protection strategies.