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CZJimmy

Secret World of the Okapi, 2008

Chester Zoo I think this picture shows the overgrown 'foresty' feel of the exhibit...

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Secret World of the Okapi, 2008
CZJimmy, 20 Jan 2008
    • Pertinax
      When i saw the Okapis at chester, both were quite active and Mbuti was almost stereotyping along the fenceline as if trying to join Stuma.

      I agree that usually Okapi are fairly inactive though.
    • Pertinax
      Many Okapi have been bred in smaller enclosures than this- Bristol, London, several continental enclosures. But if they have a 2nd male on loan,, where is he kept?
    • taun
      Usually in the outside Paddock Mbuti uses or sometimes the otherone. Stuma is usaully then in one of the outdoor ones and Mbuit has the indoor enclosure.
    • Pertinax
      So the two males have to alternate the usage of one paddock. Are they still going to get another male on loan or try with Mbuti again? From what you said in the Pm to me about how long females take to get used to a new male, it sounds like Mbuti may still be their best chance if she likes him and is familiar with him. Has it just been a case of him not being old enough to mate properly up until now?
    • taun
      They are still looking for a proven bull and if she can have a calf then Mbuti will be an ideal age to sire the second in two to three years time.
    • okapikpr
      Then you should see them gallop...
    • taun
      I've seen Mbuti canter, on his first day in the enclosure unfortunately he got spooked cantered back to the stalls and fell over :eek: Luckily no he wasn't hurt.
    • Pertinax
      Okapikpr- you are the expert here- at what age would you say a male should be capable of successfully mating a female?
    • okapikpr
      A male should be capable of successfully mating a female at 2 to 2.5 yrs of age....now whether a male of that age is mature enough to produce enough viable sperm to conceive depends on the individual from what I have read. I would expect a 3 yrs old male to do this at least.

      As for breeding, it really helps when at least one of the okapi involved is experienced, but not required. Currently, I have a young bull that i am trying to breed and he currently gets mounted more by the female than he mounts her. Every two weeks, he continues to progress with his breeding technique.
    • Pertinax
      Do you think Chester would be better keeping their pair, Stuma & M'Buti, together during the daytime, or seperately apart from any mating attempts?
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  • Category:
    Chester Zoo
    Uploaded By:
    CZJimmy
    Date:
    20 Jan 2008
    View Count:
    4,626
    Comment Count:
    38

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