New baby okapi named in honor of 50-year cast member

The first baby okapi born in Disney’s Animal Kingdom since 2012 has a name – Elijah.

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.

According to Disney, 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.

Born in October, the baby weighed 46 pounds. Today, he is 165 pounds and has officially joined his mom onstage on the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.