Comments on: Exciting Times at the Okapi Barn! http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/06/30/exciting-times-at-the-okapi-barn-2/ Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:40:24 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Sheila Barnett http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/06/30/exciting-times-at-the-okapi-barn-2/comment-page-1/#comment-455844 Sheila Barnett Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:59:55 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=4747#comment-455844 Your blogs are fascinating--please keep news of the Okapis coming. Your blogs are fascinating–please keep news of the Okapis coming.

]]> By: Marcia Redding http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/06/30/exciting-times-at-the-okapi-barn-2/comment-page-1/#comment-455095 Marcia Redding Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:00:10 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=4747#comment-455095 njr_sd, thanks for your interest! It's unlikely we will ever be able to do full hoof trims on our adults, but we have conditioned several of them to allow minor procedures, such as removal of small chips, or "hangnails" as we sometimes call them. This can help keep small problems from becoming bigger ones. It would be great if the others could learn from Zuri, but okapis, being relatively solitary animals, are not "programmed" to learn by example. More social animals such as primates are more likely to be able to learn this way. Okapis respond better to patient, step-by-step habituation. Biscotti has caused quite a bit of interest among the other okapis, most notably, he has inspired Zuri to display some dominant, territorial behaviors that we have not seen before. Our little guy is growing up! I am eager to see what Matt's infrasound recordings tell us about the new dynamic at the barn. We will keep everyone updated as info becomes available! njr_sd, thanks for your interest! It’s unlikely we will ever be able to do full hoof trims on our adults, but we have conditioned several of them to allow minor procedures, such as removal of small chips, or “hangnails” as we sometimes call them. This can help keep small problems from becoming bigger ones. It would be great if the others could learn from Zuri, but okapis, being relatively solitary animals, are not “programmed” to learn by example. More social animals such as primates are more likely to be able to learn this way. Okapis respond better to patient, step-by-step habituation.

Biscotti has caused quite a bit of interest among the other okapis, most notably, he has inspired Zuri to display some dominant, territorial behaviors that we have not seen before. Our little guy is growing up! I am eager to see what Matt’s infrasound recordings tell us about the new dynamic at the barn. We will keep everyone updated as info becomes available!

]]> By: njr_sd http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/06/30/exciting-times-at-the-okapi-barn-2/comment-page-1/#comment-455026 njr_sd Fri, 03 Jul 2009 17:31:49 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=4747#comment-455026 It will certainly be interesting to see (hear) what goes on when Biscotti joins the herd. Do you think it's possible to train the adult okpais to accept the hoof trimming without needing anesthesia? Would they learn from the youngster? Here's hoping for a girl! It will certainly be interesting to see (hear) what goes on when Biscotti joins the herd.
Do you think it’s possible to train the adult okpais to accept the hoof trimming without needing anesthesia? Would they learn from the youngster?

Here’s hoping for a girl!

]]> By: Marcia Redding http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/06/30/exciting-times-at-the-okapi-barn-2/comment-page-1/#comment-454659 Marcia Redding Wed, 01 Jul 2009 23:42:02 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=4747#comment-454659 Thanks for the comments, everybody! Including Biscotti, we now have two males and three females. Judy J, that velvety coat is very soft but also has a reddish brown oil that acts as a raincoat. Moisture rolls right off and doesn't reach the skin. After handling the animals, we have reddish brown hands! Thanks for the comments, everybody! Including Biscotti, we now have two males and three females. Judy J, that velvety coat is very soft but also has a reddish brown oil that acts as a raincoat. Moisture rolls right off and doesn’t reach the skin. After handling the animals, we have reddish brown hands!

]]> By: Judy J http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/06/30/exciting-times-at-the-okapi-barn-2/comment-page-1/#comment-454610 Judy J Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:39:41 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=4747#comment-454610 Hi Marcia and Matt, It has to be a wonderful feeling to know that so many things that you need to do in caring for these gorgeous beings can now be done without all the stress and especially without all the worry that accompanies any anesthetic procedure no matter how complex or simple. Your patience and caring and love have made this possible!! Bless you in all that you do!! It must be wonderful to be able to touch that amazing coat--what does it really feel like? What a handsome lad in that photo!! You are envied by many and appreciated by all. **PINK**PINK**PINK**PINK**PINK**PINK** Blessed Be All of Thee with LOVE, judy j Hi Marcia and Matt,

It has to be a wonderful feeling to know that so many things that you need to do in caring for these gorgeous beings can now be done without all the stress and especially without all the worry that accompanies any anesthetic procedure no matter how complex or simple. Your patience and caring and love have made this possible!! Bless you in all that you do!! It must be wonderful to be able to touch that amazing coat–what does it really feel like? What a handsome lad in that photo!! You are envied by many and appreciated by all.

**PINK**PINK**PINK**PINK**PINK**PINK**

Blessed Be All of Thee with LOVE, judy j

]]> By: LK Taylor, Nevada http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/06/30/exciting-times-at-the-okapi-barn-2/comment-page-1/#comment-454586 LK Taylor, Nevada Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:15:16 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=4747#comment-454586 I just love the Okapis' and feel that they are very underrated. Thanks for the last 2 blogs. I just love the Okapis’ and feel that they are very underrated. Thanks for the last 2 blogs.

]]> By: Paula http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/06/30/exciting-times-at-the-okapi-barn-2/comment-page-1/#comment-454581 Paula Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:48:32 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=4747#comment-454581 yipee!!!! yipee!!!!

]]> By: Nicholas http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2009/06/30/exciting-times-at-the-okapi-barn-2/comment-page-1/#comment-454457 Nicholas Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:01:02 +0000 http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wordpress/?p=4747#comment-454457 what is the male/female ratio in the okapi enclosure? what is the male/female ratio in the okapi enclosure?

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