Protecting the Endangered Okapi, and It's Habitat, in the Democratic

The Okapi Wildlife Reserve Biodiversity of the Congo Okapi Conservation Project works with the Institute in The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Congo for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN), a most biologically diverse country in Africa, holds government organization responsible for the infinite natural treasures and significant species protection of the Reserve, and communities such as Grauer’s gorilla, forest elephants and throughout the Okapi Wildlife Reserve to ensure bonobo. Over 1,500 types of plants and animals, the protection of the okapi and many other species including the okapi, are found nowhere else in the in this equatorial rainforest. world.

Democratic Republic of Congo

OCP provides logistical and financial support to 110 ICCN rangers to provide a conservation presence in the region and to monitor land use changes and Protecting the Endangered Okapi, protect the wildlife and natural resources of the Okapi and it’s habitat, in the Wildlife Reserve. Democratic Republic of Congo OCP presently employs 58 people, working from four locations around the Reserve, who implement education programs through meetings, seminars, and providing social assistance that moves communities to care PROGRAMS about conserving resources and wildlife. Okapi Conservation Project (OCP) works in the OCP focuses on developing an economic heart of the and educational foundation Democratic on which the Reserve can Republic of operate. This is achieved Congo to through programs in wildlife protect the protection and education, natural agroforestry, and habitat of the community assistance. endangered Broad-based community okapi and assistance includes: indigenous DONATE TO HELP SAVE THE OKAPI l Mbuti pygmies Building and supplying OCP is represented by Wildlife Conservation schools and health clinics living in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. Global (WCG) a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) l Developing fresh water organization. One hundred percent of gifts Okapi are entirely dependent on the forest sources made to the Okapi Conservation Project sanctuary for survival; deforestation, along with l Providing medical care through WCG directly support the poaching and mining, have led to their decline. and transport Conservation stewardship programs promote the management of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, l viability of the region’s biodiversity and survival of Improving food security help local communities find sustainable ways of living, and provide an extensive refuge for native species like the okapi. l Conservation education the region’s endangered creatures. www.okapiconservation.org

l Okapi — Okapia Johnstoni One of the oldest mammals on Earth the Okapi is known to the western world only since the early 20th century “The Forest Giraffe” l Classified ‘Endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species l Okapi need undisturbed tracts of forest to sustain themselves; approximately 3,000 Okapi live in the Reserve l Endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Okapi has been protected since 1933