Okapi Calf's Big Adventure, Day One
Posted at 10:39 am August 15, 2007 by John Michel
On August 9, Safarani and her calf, Sukari, made their way out of the maternity yard where they had been since the youngster was born on July 10 (see previous blog, Okapi Calf To See a Bigger World!). Safarani was most anxious to get back out into the larger exhibit space; we realized after watching her for a little while after the move that it was because she loves to eat all the plantings around the exhibit, something she's not had access to for a couple of months. Now we know who's been mowing through those plantings!
The move was uneventful. We simply opened the door leading from the maternity yard up the hallway to the exhibit, Safarani headed out, Sukari right behind her. Safarani is proving to be a model mother: patient, doting, and always aware of where Sukari is. Okapi moms sometimes dote too much, overgrooming the calf or overreacting to outside stimulus. Her keepers are very happy with how this first-time mom is taking care of her new charge.
Sukari proved to be quite the explorer, often venturing far away from Safarani to explore exhibit plantings, the hippos next door, or the acacia browse hung out for the adults to consume. After a couple of hours she settled down along the fenceline and went to sleep. When it was time to come in, keeper Jama Kasowicz herded the little one towards the barn only to find her balk at the prospect of passing through the gate. I was at the bottom of the hallway and couldn't see them but the rising cloud of dust told me that perhaps a little help was needed. With an additional keeper and a little prompting, Sukari rejoined her mom in the maternity yard. The last two days have told us that Sukari is a quick study in adapting to her surroundings and routine, as she now makes the transition back to the barn with a slight touch from one of the keepers.
Our routine with Safarani and Sukari will likely remain the same for the next few weeks: Biscotti, our adult male, will be on exhibit from sunup through midmorning, then Safarani and Sukari until around 1 p.m., followed by Kelle and her 18-month-old son, Kidomo. Next time you're at the San Diego Zoo, look for Sukari…she won't be hard to find. She'll be the little one running laps around her mom.
John Michel is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Read a blog about Kidomo's first herd meeting…
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August 15th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Thanks, John,
Sukari sounds like quite an independent girl. Glad her mom is calm and lets her do her thing. Where is Safarani when the keepers are trying to get Sukari into the barn? I am surprised that Safarani doesn't make some sound to " herd" Sukari up toward her and therefore into the barn.
August 15th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Congradulations on the big world, Sukari!! And thanks to your keepers for keeping us updated on your progress. It sounds like your mom is taking good care of you. You have a wonderful home with people who will take the best care of you possible. Best of luck from your biggest fan in North Carolina!
August 16th, 2007 at 11:34 am
She is beautiful. What gorgeous markings. I wish I could see her in person.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Margaret-Safarani (" Saffy" to those of us who see her every day) has been the most amazing mom. While she dotes on Sukari, she allows us free access without any anxiety on her part. Generally, when it's time to come in for the day, we'll call Saffy and she'll very deliberately make her way to the barn. Sukari almost always follows immediately. Those very few times when she doesn't are usually because she's asleep and we have to go wake her. Saffy always waits at the top of the ramp to the barn until Sukari is heading her way before she proceeds. As for any sounds she might make, both Saffy and Sukari are recipients of much " chuffing" from the other Okapi as they pass by their stalls on their way to the maternity yard for the night.
August 16th, 2007 at 8:31 pm
Love the white knee socks and black & white knickers…. they are just beautiful animals. Thanks for the updates - I'm overdue for a visit - but I will make sure that Sukari is next on my list to see!
August 17th, 2007 at 9:17 am
Well, I am going to ask the question that I know is on everyone's mind. Has Sukari pooped yet? I laughed when I read they first deficate between 4 and 8 weeks of age. I laugh because I have to " oil" my horse on a regular basis due to his frequent bouts of constipation and, therefore, understand how important a good poop is to an animal's health.
August 17th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Has Biscotti shown any intrest in his calf?
August 18th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Some good questions here, everyone…First, has she pooped yet? Now, that may sound like an odd question, but really, it's an important milestone. Yes, okapis typically do not defecate for the first time for anywhere up to 10 weeks of age. This little lady, though, surprised us (and scared us…just a little) by doing that at about 3 weeks of age. Turns out that occasionally in okapis and horses, there is a possibility of an 'event' such as this well before the normal time frame. In this case, it was a one-time occurance that poses no threat to the well-being or development of Sukari.
Second, with respect to Biscotti, Sukari's dad, we're not going to be putting him in the same space as Sukari. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, male okapis are largely solitary and can even pose a threat to youngsters, even their own. We did, however, introduce Sukari to our other adult female, Kelle, today. It was quite a sight: Safarani doing her usual " eat everything in sight" behavior, while Kelle, the six-time mom, groomed Sukari incessantly. Really, the best part of my job sometimes isn't the feeding and cleaning, it's the time I can spend watching my charges interact. I've been doing this for over 23 years; I can't imagine doing anything else.
August 25th, 2007 at 7:55 am
Wow - we just missed the new little one! My son and I visited the first week of August from Ohio. The Okapis are his absolute favorite! We took several photos of the Okapis that were out the day we visited. So glad to hear Sukari's quite independent and Mom's cool with it. Thanks for the updates for people like us who love our animals!
August 26th, 2007 at 11:07 am
Sukari is beautiful! Can't add any more compliments to those already received, but the okapis look tremendously fit and well. May I ask what kind of vegetation they eat - is all sorts: grasses, leaves, succulents? Is there any special activity they enjoy, apart from grooming, such as playing in or with water, or chasing each other? They're lovely creatures and it's great to hear John Michel maintaining such huge enthusiasm for working with them after many years. Best of luck for the future, all!
August 28th, 2007 at 6:46 am
#8 John Michel, you mentioned that you introduced Sukari to Kelle. Was Kidomo with Kelle? If so, how did he react to 1) Kelle incessantly licking Sukari, and 2) Sukari being in the same exhibit space? Do Opaki young spend any time together like other animals such as elephants, who are also meandering grazers?
Your strong bond with the Opakis after many years of working with them shows, and that is probably what enables you to gain their trust so well. You can do amazing things with wild animals who come to trust those responsible for their care and nutrition.
Thanks from all the Opakis for your love and dedication.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:31 pm
John Michel, #8 maybe you started out having a job but my dear you now have a profession, your dedication and love of these animals have probably made you a different person. If the Okapis could talk boy would they have something about you. Keep up the great workand enjoy.
September 2nd, 2007 at 11:56 pm
Hello, we visited the okapis this weekend and loved them so much. One thing that frustrated us was that people kept saying that okapis are mixes of horses, donkeys, and zebras. This is not true. Some people even said, " How can horses and zebras be part of the giraffe family?" This is a silly question, because okapis aren't horses and zebras! Can you please put up a sign that explains this?
We loved your zoo. You are doing a great job. We came from San Jose to see it! We are seven years old and we love playing Zoo Tycoon 2. That's how we learned about okapis and browse holders!
September 4th, 2007 at 10:27 am
how wonderful to learn more about these interesting and unique animals. thank you
September 7th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
First off, I apologize for the long response time to your questions. I took a bit of vacation time north of the border on a lake without so much as a telephone, so I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things.
With respect to Jon's question regarding the vegetation the okapis consume, we offer alfalfa hay, alfalfa pellets, and acacia branches. They tend to strip the leaves off with their long tongues, leaving the branches bare. Not to be wasteful, these are all collected and sent off to be chipped into compost for use in the planted areas around the Zoo. Your second question regarding their activities while together on exhibit: Currently, Kelle, an 18-year-old female, Safarani, and Sukari are spending time together much of the day. Kelle, a 6-time mom, took an immediate interest in Sukari and groomed her to the point of distraction, an occasional problem with okapi moms. Sukari, superbly programmed by nature, takes refuge in one of the two 'caves' available on exhibit for that very purpose when it becomes too much. Much of their time is spent browsing through the various food offerings and social interaction opportunities while together on exhibit.
Margaret: Your question about Kidomo was timely as I trailered him up yesterday (9/6) for his trip to the Oklahoma City Zoo to become part of their okapi breeding program. Hard to see him go after witnessing his birth and working with him nearly every day since, but it is part of the job, oftentimes the hardest part. His parting has a silver lining, though. With the barn space freed up, we can now reintroduce Kelle to Biscotti and look forward to a new calf at the end of next year if all goes well. Regarding your question about okapis spending time together: Moms and offspring, females in estrus and males pursuing them, and very occasionally, adult females, will be seen together. In a zoo setting, we try to balance personalities and comfort levels among the animals in our care to produce the calmest and most beneficial groupings.
Barbara, your delightful comment is worth a response. At one time, as a kid, I had a spider monkey, an owl, a raccoon, a crow, and a dog in my house…all at the same time. My parents let me have them, but rarely set foot in the space. This has been a lifelong attraction for me, and I'm privileged to have had the opportunity to do it for a living.
Elizabeth and Emma: I will put in a sign request tomorrow because of your great suggestion. I went out and re-read the signs we do have and feel we can offer more information. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again for the suggestion.
February 5th, 2008 at 6:53 pm
why is the okapi your faverite animal
April 11th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I love the okapi because of the stripes and the likeness to other animals. It has the giraffes tounge and the zebras stribes with the build of a horse like deer!
April 11th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I am doing a report on the okapi. Is there any info that anyone could give me?
Moderator's note: Visit our Animal Bytes section for great info about okapis: http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-okapi.html
May 8th, 2008 at 8:24 am
aww so cute im in 6th grade doing a report on endangered species. I choose Okapi. they are sooo interesting i hope you save more!!!
May 27th, 2008 at 8:28 am
i am doing a report on the okapi
November 8th, 2008 at 3:29 pm
wow those okapis are very cute, i hope you save as much as you could! And I have a question
Do you put the okapis with the girrafes or no?
Moderator's note: The Zoo's okapis live in our Ituri Forest habitat; our giraffes currently reside on Elephant Mesa.