A New Okapi!
Posted at 2:35 pm December 3, 2009 by Marcia Redding
Uche at 3 days old
Ayana is an experienced mom; her first calf was born on September 22, 2006. Akin now lives at the Los Angeles Zoo, where he is a treasured member of their collection. Our new calf is named Uche (oo-chay), meaning “dawn” or “daybreak” in Swahili.
Ayana with her newest pride and joy!
Little Uche is a spunky little guy but has accepted handling pretty well. We continue to work with him every day, and he is making great progress. We would like him to follow in the footsteps of our other young male okapi, Zuri (now a year and a half old), who is now completely halter trained, allows hoof trims without anesthesia, and follows us into a trailer.
The weather has been a little chilly lately for Uche to make his debut on exhibit; okapi calves do not thermoregulate well until they are a couple of months old. We hope to have him available for viewing soon. I’ll be sure keep everyone posted! Welcome to the Park, Uche!
Marcia Redding is a senior mammal keeper at the Wild Animal Park. Read a previous post, New Forest for the Okapi.
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December 3rd, 2009 at 4:07 pm
He’s a cutie. All ears as usual. Is there a reason the WAP does not post birth videos?
Or at least videos taken shortly after birth. Also, it would be wonderful if you could enlarge the photos.
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Soooo Cute !
December 3rd, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Congrats! wow 14months gestation..that is along time…he looks adorable ..do they make sounds like a horse??
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:06 pm
How adorable! Congratulations, Ayana, on your latest calf and Congratulations to S.D. zoo for #37. Certainly an impressive number. They’re such interesting looking animals.
December 4th, 2009 at 7:54 am
It will be interesting to see if imprinting can continue to be successful in handling with less dependence on drugs for sedation, and perhaps it can expand to other species in the future as well. On a behind the scenes tour we were able to see the Okapi up close. They are extraordinarily beautiful and we appreciated this opportunity SDZ offered.
December 4th, 2009 at 9:38 am
He has the cutest little stripped bum!
December 4th, 2009 at 10:13 am
CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Always go to see when visiting the Zoo or Wild Animal Park. Thanks for the blog/update!!
December 4th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Wow! Adorable! Congratulations ! I’m from Montreal and went to the zoo a few years back and fell instantly in love with the Okapi. Had never seen such a special and beautiful animal ! Bought everything Okapi I could find at the zoo. I hope I can go and visit Uche soon.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I always head to the Heart of Afica walk first when I’m at the WAP, to see the Okapis. How was Ayana when you wanted to imprint with Uche at such a young age? Was she taken aside and given treats like Bai Yun is with Yunior? The rapport the animals have with the keepers is a testament to the caring that is given them.
December 5th, 2009 at 12:45 am
I’ve always considered okapis among the most beautiful animals, and I’m delighted with news of another successful birth at SDZ. You in the Zoo staff are really incredible, with your dedication to and hard work for the safety and well-being of all the animals. Thank you for all that you do.
December 5th, 2009 at 2:56 am
What beautiful animals!
December 5th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Congratulations on the birth of Uche!
December 7th, 2009 at 7:21 am
Uche is gorgeous and well worth the 14-month wait!
December 14th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
oh, I love okapi!! They’re one of my favorites. Congrats SDZ on the birth of another successful little guy!