Mandai celebrates first okapi calf born in Southeast Asia with special souvenirs and cake
Mandai Wildlife Group has welcomed a unique new arrival — an okapi calf.
They invited the public to name the rare juvenile now that it is nearly two months old.
Image courtesy of Mandai Wildlife Group
Okapi calf thriving in Mandai thanks to mother’s care
On 24 Sept, Rainforest Wild Adventure publicly celebrated the first okapi calf to ever be born in Southeast Asia.
Its seven-year-old mother, Kisala, and four-year-old father, Xandor, came to Singapore under the EAZA Ex situ Programme (EEP).
The EEP is a coordinated breeding programme for threatened species such as the okapi.
Mandai staff noticed changes in Kisala’s appetite and body condition after her pairing with Xandor.
In July, an ultrasound confirmed that she was expecting a calf.
Image courtesy of Mandai Wildlife Group
She gave birth to the male calf on the morning of 27 July 2026. A press release stated:
Kisala has been an excellent mother, and her calf is thriving, gaining nearly a kilogramme a day on average.
The unnamed calf is now nearly two months old and has grown to a healthy 48kg.
Okapi mothers gestate foetus for more than 14 months
Despite their unique zebra-like stripes, okapis are actually the closest relatives of giraffes. Giraffes and okapis are the only surviving members of the Giraffidae family.
Image courtesy of Mandai Wildlife Group
Only a handful of zoos in the world care for the rare African animals.
Okapis have one of the longest gestation periods among hoofed mammals, lasting around 440 days, or 14 to 15 months.
Their calves spend much of their early days hidden to avoid predators rather than following their mothers around.
Image courtesy of Mandai Wildlife Group
The Mandai staff thus built a secluded calving box where the juvenile could rest and feed undisturbed for the first few months.
Only recently did they gave the okapis access to the outdoor habitat.
Okapi parents and calf can be spotted at Rainforest Wild Adventure
“Guests can head to Hidden Forest at Rainforest Wild Adventure East for a chance to see Kisala and her calf, while Xandor can be spotted in a separate habitat nearby,” Mandai Wildlife Group stated.
However, the calf is still building confidence and may retreat to the off-exhibit den.
Image courtesy of Mandai Wildlife Group
Guests can still glimpse him through the ‘baby monitor’, which provides a live feed of the den.
Additionally, Mandai invited members of the public to help name Southeast Asia’s first okapi calf.
The public may pick from three shortlisted names:
- Imara — meaning ‘strong’, which reflects courage and resilience in Swahili.
- Mayaka — meaning ‘pearl’, which symbolises a precious gift in Lingala.
- Kiah — meaning ‘dawn’, for new beginnings in Swahili.
Members of the public can vote by commenting on Facebook or Instagram with their preferred name. Voting closes on 30 Sept.
Themed cake and toys in celebration of calf’s birth
In celebration of the calf’s birth, guests can enjoy okapi-themed offerings across the Mandai precinct.
Image courtesy of Mandai Wildlife Group
These include an okapi-inspired cake available from October at certain dining outlets.
Don’t miss the adorable okapi souvenirs from Rainforest Wild Adventure East’s retail shop.
There are soft toys, tumblers, lanyards, and more to choose from.
Image courtesy of Mandai Wildlife Group
Also read: Cutest baby animals born in Mandai Wildlife Group’s parks in 2025, from serval kittens to manatees
Cutest baby animals born in Mandai Wildlife Group’s parks in 2025, from serval kittens to manatees
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Featured image courtesy of Mandai Wildlife Group.
