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Rare Congo Enigma Born

Following a pregnancy which lasts over a year, keepers at Marwell Zoological Park in Hampshire are delighted with their latest new arrival, a healthy female okapi calf.

Although closely resembling a zebra (as they have stripes on their hind quarters and upper forelegs), okapi are in fact the closest known relative to the giraffe. They are an elusive species which live in the tropical rainforest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and were only first discovered to science by Sir Harry Johnston, the British explorer and naturalist in 1901.

No-one knows for sure how many are left in the wild as the harsh rainforest conditions, plus the current political situation in the country makes tracking this species very difficult. Despite official protection, okapi are still hunted and combined with increased deforestation (to provide agricultural areas to feed an increasing human population) of their natural habitat, their future is uncertain.

Born on Monday 2nd June 2008, Marwell keepers have named her Hazina which means valuable treasure in Swahili, the language spoken in the Congo. She will hopefully become an important addition to the captive okapi conservation breeding programme, of which there are less than 100 individuals in Europe. Okapi are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity so every birth is very special.

Marwell Head Keeper, Simon Hawker said: "We are all ecstatic that after such a long pregnancy Hazina and mum are both strong and healthy, and have already formed a strong bond. We are delighted that our latest baby is a female although every healthy okapi calf is a great addition to the captive population, helping to secure the future of this rare and mysterious species."

Log onto Marwell Zoological Park's website to watch footage of Hazina being born and follow Hazina's progress in Marwell's new online dairy: www.marwell.org.uk

Notes to editors

Okapi are extremely timid animals and as such there is strictly no access for photographers or film crews.

Photo Captions:

Hazina image. Rare okapi shows off her stripes.

Hazina and mum Zukisa image. Rare okapi shows off her baby's stripes

Hazina close up image. Rare okapi born at Marwell Zoological Park

For further media information please contact Helen Jeffreys, Marwell Zoological Park Media Relations Officer. Email: helenj@marwell.org.uk

Phone: 01962 777947

Hazina's mum, Zukisa, is eight years ago and has already successfully reared two male calves. Marwell has now bred five okapi calves.

A survey in June 2006 rediscovered okapi in Democratic Republic of Congo's Virunga National Park. According to official records, the last sighting of okapi in this Park, before this date, was in 1959.

The trees in the rainforest and their dark colouring provide the perfect camouflage for okapi to hide from predators. It is believed that their stripe patterns help young okapi to follow their mothers through the dense rainforest.

The okapi taxonomic name, Okapia johnstoni, pays tribute to both its native Central African name and that of Sir Harry Johnston, the British explorer and naturalist who first discovered the species in 1901.

Okapi is one of a few animals that can lick its own ears.

Marwell Zoological Park was founded in 1972. The Park is owned and operated by Marwell Preservation Trust: a registered charity dedicated to the conservation of biological diversity. Registered Charity Number 275433.

Marwell Zoological Park is dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and other natural resources and works to conserve species and their habitats, whilst advocating environmental and social responsibility in support of these goals.

Marwell Conservation seeks to address causes of extinction and manages vulnerable populations of threatened species to ensure their survival. This is achieved through a range of species and habitat conservation programmes locally to Marwell's base in southern England and internationally, with a particular focus in Africa.

Marwell is a member of the British and Irish Association of zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). BIAZA represents its member collections and promotes the values of good zoos and aquariums.

Marwell Zoological Park, Colden Common, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 1JH. www.marwell.org.uk