Voyage of Faith and Love: Treasures of Congo: Okapi

I realize that I frequently write negative sounding posts about the DRC. It is too easy for my mind to turn Congo into a one- dimensional land of despair. However, Congo is very large and diverse and Roland deserves to know there is more to his birth country beyond violence and poverty. In an effort to learn more about other aspects of Congo, I am starting a series called "Treasures of Congo" where once a month or so I will highlight something that I find good, unique, or interesting within the DRC.

I will always think the most fascinating thing about Africa is its wildlife so I will start this series off with the Okapi. The Democratic Republic of Congo has the most biodiversity of all of the African nations and it is the only home to the Okapi. This unique looking mammal looks more like a zebra relative, but it is most closely related to the giraffe. Of course the okapi's neck is much shorter than a giraffe's, but they share similarly long legs and long, flexible tongues. The okapi's tongue is so long that it can clean its own eyelids and the inside of its ears. Okapis have oily, velvety coats that help repel water in the moist forests that they live in. Okapis eat many plants that are poisonous to humans and they have been known to consume charcoal off of trees that have been struck by lightening. Although the okapi was unknown to the western world until the 20th century, an ancient carving of an okapi was found in Egypt. For years, Europeans referred to this mysterious animal as the "African Unicorn". In 1992, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve was formed to protect the habitat of not only the 5,000 Okapi that live there, but also for many other species. The reserve is one of the most important bird conservation sites in mainland Africa. Some of the major threats to the wildlife of the area are deforestation, poaching, mining, violence, political instability and inadequate funding. I truly hope that someday the DRC becomes peaceful enough to start an eco-tourism industry. It really has so much to offer and I would love to go back to visit in the future and be able to appreciate Congo's diverse landscapes and wildlife.