Rare Baby Okapi Takes First Steps Into Outside World At Chester Zoo

For many of us, staying indoors and being unable to explore the outside world has been something forced upon us for the last year. But over winter, there was an exciting new arrival at Chester Zoo, and they have been able to explore the outdoors and explore the beautiful outdoors of Cheshire. A rare baby Okapi was born at the zoo on December 28th, 2020 and has spent her first few weeks of life snuggled up safely with her mother; she has now braved the elements of the outside world.

The female calf was born to seven-year-old mum K'tusha and 17-year-old dad Stomp and arrived safely following a 14-month-long pregnancy. Chester Zoo's CCTV cameras captured the calf's first wobbly steps as she was gently encouraged to her feet by mum, shortly after birth. Now, the shy new arrival has stepped outside for the first time after spending the first few weeks of life snuggled up inside. Zookeepers have named the adorable youngster 'Nia Nia' in homage to a small village that is in the centre of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. The Reserve is a place where the zoo's field partners are based, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which is the only country where Okapis are found in the wild.