NEW Baby Okapi Elijah Makes His Debut in Disney World!
If you’re an animal lover, Disney World is definitely an exciting place to explore! You can check out the giant aquarium in EPCOT, see the dozens of animal species in Animal Kingdom, and there are almost always a bunch of birds wandering about the parks (don’t let them get your food, though!).
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is dedicated to conservation, including the continuation of animal species from around the world. So, it’s very exciting when they welcome new baby animals into the world — and today, there is a new little guy you can see in the park!
New Baby Okapi at Animal Kingdom
There is a new baby okapi now in Animal Kingdom! Meet Elijah, who is just absolutely the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen (well, besides all of the OTHER baby animals that are at the park).
He’s actually the first baby okapi to make a debut at Animal Kingdom since 2012! And, it’s the 14th birth of this endangered species at Disney World.
Disney posted about Elijah on Instagram — he was born last October, but today is his official debut in the park! It looks like you can see him (as well as his mom!) in the okapi exhibit over on Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail.
When he was born, Elijah was 46 pounds, and now, he’s 165 pounds, so he’s growing fast!
But, maybe we’ll get to spot him on Kilimanjaro Safaris, too! We’ll have to wait and see where he’s hanging out.
Baby Elijah’s name actually has a very special meaning behind it. He was named after 50-year cast member Elijah, who plays a very big role in maintaining the animal habitats at Animal Kingdom — including the okapi habitat!
Elijah first started working at Disney World at Magic Kingdom back in June of 1973. He then transferred to the horticulture department at Animal Kingdom when it opened in 1998.
Elijah creates environments at Animal Kingdom that help keep the animals safe as well as promote their enrichment. Disney said that because Elijah is such a beloved cast member, they decided to name the baby okapi after him. What an honor!
Disney and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan ensure responsible breeding of the endangered okapi, as well as other species that face the threats of things like habitat loss and poaching.
I don’t know about you, but I am so excited to see baby Elijah the okapi at Animal Kingdom the next time I visit!
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You can learn more about okapi and Disney’s efforts to protect endangered and threatened species at DisneyAnimals.com. Stay tuned for more Disney World news and updates!