Archive for August 31st, 2009

What’s beautiful coming and going and, on September 1^st, will be roaming the new Pembe Savannah at Kidani Village?  It’s the okapi, only living relative of the giraffe.

 

The okapi has a velvety coat with distinctive striped markings on its hindquarters and front legs, reminiscent of a zebra.  But its pretty face with large liquid eyes, upright ears, and a long, prehensile tongue, reveal its true kinship.

 

Individuals from many disciplines including Disney Animal Programs, Walt Disney Imagineering, and Horticulture, have worked together to conceive and build the habitat which will feature a number of other animals in addition to the okapis.  This multiple-species area is an unusual and very special environment for the okapi in captivity.  Their shy and solitary nature, excellent hearing, and nocturnal habits make them difficult to observe in the wild.  Native to the Ituri Rainforest in central Africa, the okapi was known to the ancient Egyptians, but not classified as a species by Europeans until the early 1900’s.

 

Housed in their new specially-designed barn, the okapis will share their six-acre savannah with a variety of neighbors including geese and cranes, impalas, nyalas, Red River hogs, and yellow-backed duikers.

 

The Pembe Savannah will not connect to the main savannahs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge so guests hoping to get a glimpse of the retiring okapi must visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village.  Those not staying in one of the savannah-view villas can take advantage of viewing opportunities from hallway windows and the Samawati Springs pool deck.