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. (David Roark, photographer)

Photos: Beni the Okapi makes first appearance on Disney Savanna

Steve Liebman January 4, 2023

1 minute read

Beni, the okapi calf born in July at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, is now spending time with his mom on the Pembe Savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

The four-foot tall, 230 pound calf was seen staying close to mom as he starts to become more independent. Beni is the first calf of mom Olivia and dad Elombe, and 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.

For those who have ridden the Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you might know more about okapis than you think. They are the first animals pointed out on the safari by the driver and these are some of the tidbits they share.

In January 2023, a rare, endangered Okapi calf made his debut on the Pembe Savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (David Roark, photographer)

Since his birth in July, Beni has grown to a height of four feet and weighs around 230 pounds. (David Roark, photographer)

Beni and his mom, Olivia on the savana at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. (David Roark, photographer)

The okapis are called the ghost of the forest because even though they have been around for centuries they were only discovered in the 1900s because they are very good at camouflaging themselves in the rainforest of the Congo. While they have striped legs like zebras, the okapis are actually related to the giraffe. Like the giraffe they have prehensile tongues, which are long enough to lick its nose, ears and even its eyes.