Before the Bronx Zoo opens its gates each morning, animal keeper Alyssa May begins the day by preparing food and checking the enclosure for the zoo’s two resident okapi. The pair – Dakota, a nine‑year‑old female, and her older male companion – are among the few of the species kept in captivity in the United States.

Daily routine for a rare animal

May explains that okapi are naturally shy and elusive, a trait that kept scientists unaware of their existence until the early 1900s. Staff members bring fresh foliage, set up feeding stations and clean the outdoor habitat before visitors arrive. Throughout the day the animals receive additional feedings, and keepers note that the graceful creatures are stronger than many assume.

Conservation focus

Zoo officials stress that protecting the okapi extends far beyond the Bronx. The species is listed as endangered and survives in the wild only in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where poaching, habitat loss and civil unrest threaten its survival. Officials estimate that only a few thousand okapi remain in the wild.

“We’re very instrumental from a policy standpoint, from a field conservation standpoint and from advocacy here at the zoo,” said Keith Lovett, head of animal programs. The Bronx Zoo’s partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society supports international agreements that have led to a global ban on okapi trade.

Hope for future breeding

While the two animals currently spend most of their time grooming each other, staff hope the pair will eventually mate, adding another generation to the captive population that can serve as a genetic reservoir for future re‑introduction efforts.

Visitors who catch a glimpse of the okapi often compare its striped markings to those of a zebra, but the zoo points out that the okapi’s only living relative is the giraffe.

Local impact and education

The Bronx Zoo’s behind‑the‑scenes look offers New Yorkers a tangible connection to a distant conservation challenge. By highlighting daily care routines and the broader policy work underway, the zoo educates the public on how local actions—supporting reputable zoos, advocating for wildlife protection laws, and backing international agreements—contribute to preserving one of the world’s rarest animals.

Through its combined efforts in animal husbandry, advocacy and field programs, the Bronx Zoo demonstrates how a community institution can play a vital role in global wildlife conservation.

Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.