A male okapi calf hit the scales at 48kg on July 27, becoming the first of its kind born in Southeast Asia. The birth at Rainforest Wild Adventure marks a quiet but significant milestone for Mandai Wildlife Group, which manages the park. The calf is now being raised in the Hidden Forest exhibit, where it spends most of its time hiding in its den rather than following its mother.
This behavior is standard for the species. Okapi calves conceal themselves for the first few months to avoid predators, while their mothers forage and return to nurse. The animal, often called the “forest giraffe,” is the closest living relative of the giraffe, sharing traits like a long tongue and bony ossicones. Despite the giraffe connection, okapis are endangered, with habitat loss and poaching decimating wild populations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The parents, Kisala (7) and Xandor (4), arrived in Singapore under the EAZA Ex situ Programme, a coordinated effort to maintain genetic diversity among threatened species. Mandai prepared a secluded calving box to support this natural hiding behavior. Keepers recently granted the calf access to its outdoor habitat, though it remains cautious in the new surroundings.
Visitors can spot the pair in the Hidden Forest, or monitor the calf via a live “baby monitor” when it is inside. Mandai has launched a public poll to name the calf, offering three choices: Imara (“strong” in Swahili), Mayaka (“pearl” in Lingala), and Kiah (“dawn” in Swahili). The winner will be announced in the coming weeks.