Thriving condition of a near-extinct okapi calf at Dublin Zoo.

In a significant development for wildlife conservation, a rare and endangered okapi calf was born at Dublin Zoo on Good Friday. This marks the third okapi calf ever born in Ireland.

The new addition to Dublin Zoo, a female okapi, is settling into her home under the attentive care of her mother, Lumara, who is aged 10. The mother is reportedly caring for her calf beautifully.

Okapis, large, hoofed mammals closely related to the giraffe, are herbivores, feeding on a diet of leaves, shoots, fruits, and fungi. They are easily recognizable by their reddish-brown, velvety coat with distinctive black-and-white stripes on their hind legs.

The okapi calf's birth is a major step forward for the conservation of this endangered species, which is listed as Endangered by the IUCN list. Current population estimates for okapis range between 15,000 and 50,000 in the wild, primarily found in the dense forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Africa.

Dublin Zoo has been supporting okapi conservation since 2012, with financial contributions to support rangers and community services in and around the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in the DRC. The Okapi Conservation Project, an organization engaged financially in the protection of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in the DRC since 2012, plays a crucial role in this conservation effort.

Visitors to Dublin Zoo may be able to see the growing calf as she begins to explore her outdoor habitat in the coming weeks. Dublin Zookeepers ensure that the okapis have a variety of foliage for their diet, including rose leaves, a particular favourite. For added enrichment, they create "rose balls", hanging baskets filled with rose leaves.

Dublin Zoo is no stranger to okapi calves. Dalia and Leki, also okapi calves, were previously born at Dublin Zoo. The name of the new calf has not yet been revealed.

Each birth of an okapi calf at Dublin Zoo is a significant milestone in the efforts to protect this endangered species and raise awareness about the importance of wildlife conservation.