NEWS: Rare Baby Okapi Debuts at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

A rare baby Okapi that was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in October 2023 has made its debut on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail! Learn more below!

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Scott Terrell:

Elijah is the first baby okapi to make his debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom since 2012! This marks the 14th birth of this endangered species at Walt Disney World, and we’re overjoyed to see our okapi family continue to grow. When he was born in October, Elijah weighed 46 pounds, with the most adorable, yet huge ears. Today, he’s an impressive 165 pounds and has officially joined his mom onstage on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.

Elijah’s birth, like many others in our park, is made possible with the help of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan. This program ensures the responsible breeding of this endangered species and other species that face threats like poaching and habitat loss.

What makes Elijah so special is his name, which honors a 50-year cast member!

Cast member Elijah first joined the Magic Kingdom Park in June 1973 and transferred to the horticulture department at Disney’s Animal Kingdom when it opened in 1998. He plays a critical role in maintaining the beautiful habitats at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – from rhinos to okapi and everything in between – he creates environments that help ensure safety and promote enrichment for our animals at Walt Disney World. His passion and dedication to his role has made him a cherished cast member, and what better way to honor him than to name a rare okapi after him?

To learn more about okapi and our efforts to protect endangered and threatened species, visit DisneyAnimals.com.

RELATED ARTICLE: New Residents at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Beyond Embody the Magic of Nature at Disney World

The first half of 2023 was a busy time at Walt Disney World, as The Most Magical Place on Earth welcomed the birth of more than 300 animal residents. The range of births is tremendously diverse, from aquatic animals like cuttlefish and an eagle ray pup at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT, to terrestrial mammals, including an aardvark and red river hog piglet, to more than 150 birds. The additions help keep these animal populations healthy and ensure their survival.

Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment cast members and animal care experts continue to bring people and nature together through joyful experiences every day as they celebrate the births of these endangered animals through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, and foster the animals’ successful on-stage debuts.

Keep reading to learn about just a few of the new additions guests might see when they visit Walt Disney World.

1 – Zebra foals join Kilimanjaro Safaris

Two Hartmann’s mountain zebra foals recently debuted at Kilimanjaro Safaris in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Born just six days apart, Cricket and Dot can be seen prancing around the savanna with their parents. Guests who look closely might notice that each foal has unique stripe patterns but may also distinguish the newcomers by preference and personality: Cricket loves the water and can often be seen splashing in puddles, while Dot frolics among the prairie grass, exhibiting her energy with “zoomies” as she quickly gallops around the savanna.

2 – Cotton-top tamarin twins on Discovery Island

An adorable set of cotton-top tamarin twins were born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in June, and they have been a favorite of park guests since they were one-day old. These tiny twins are currently just bigger than the palm of a hand and beginning to explore their Discovery Island habitat without the help of their mom and dad. This playful pair love chasing each other through the trees and are amazingly acrobatic.

3 – Yellow-backed duiker makes debut at Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

As mothers across the U.S. spent the summer readying their children for school, some for the first time, a yellow-backed duiker mom named Pearl was preparing her daughter for a big milestone at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. After bonding for a few months with her mom backstage, yellow-backed duiker baby Penny, born in the spring, recently made her on-stage debut. Yellow-backed duikers are an extremely shy and reclusive forest-dwelling antelope, but Penny and Pearl may be seen by guests who look closely as they visit Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail presented by Off! Repellants.

4 – Cinderella Pony at Tri-Circle-D Ranch

Elsewhere at Walt Disney World, another baby animal made her grand entrance into the world. Pixie the Shetland pony foal was born in July at Tri-Circle-D Ranch at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. While she is the third Shetland pony born at the ranch this year, joining pals Sprout and Finn, Pixie is the first Cinderella pony, owing to her white coat. The new foal has already taken her first steps in training to one day join the Cinderella carriage team with her mom Lady and sister Lilly.

5 – Learn More About Animal Care at Walt Disney World

For more information on how Disney cares for animals and helps protect species in the wild, visit DisneyAnimals.com. Also, seasons one and two of “Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” streaming on Disney+, give viewers unprecedented access to some of the most rare and beautiful species on the planet and a chance to meet animal care cast members who have formed remarkable bonds with the parks’ thousands of animals.

Guests can visit DisneyWorld.com/AnimalKingdom for more information about planning their visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.