Lowry Park Zoo Welcomes 1st Birth of New Year: A Rare Okapi Calf

Lowry Park Zoo welcomed a rare okapi calf to the family, marking the first birth of the new year at the Tampa attraction, according to zoo officials.

The calf reportedly arrived Jan. 6 at 64 pounds and spends his days following his mother around the barn.

"We are very pleased with the successful birth, and are delighted that Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo has contributed to the long term sustainability of this unique species," said Dr. Larry Killmar, vice president of animal science and conservation, in a zoo press release. "The animal care staff has done an outstanding job managing these animals and implementing the husbandry guidelines to achieve this successful outcome."

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5 Things To Know About The Okapi  

• Okapis have reddish-brown, velvet-like coats with horizontal zebra-like striping on their hindquarters and legs, according to zoo officials. Their body shape is similar to a giraffe, but with shorter necks.

• "Although the okapi bears striped markings reminiscent of zebras, it is most closely related to the giraffe," according to a Wikipedia report.

• The shy, elusive okapi lives only in the dense forests of the Congo and is the only surviving ancestor of giraffes," according to ZooBorns.com.

• "The okapi or 'forest giraffe' was first described by scientists in 1901," according to OkapiConservation.org.

• "Okapi have a life span of 15 to 20 years in captivity," according to EnchantedLearning.com. 

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Have you seen the okapi? Share your photos, tell us of your views and experience, in the comment box below.  

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