In January 2023, a rare, endangered Okapi calf made his debut on the Pembe Savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Since his birth in July, Beni has grown to a height of four feet and weighs around 230 pounds. His birth was part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, which ensures the responsible breeding of threatened and endangered species in managed care.
According to Disney, Beni stays pretty close to his mom, and he is slowly becoming more independent and his endearing personality is starting to show as he matures. Okapis are endangered in their home country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and they are very good at camouflaging themselves in the rainforest.
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Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter @iamcg83