Okapi survival threatened by insecurity and illegal gold mining in Ituri

In Ituri, armed groups, poaching and clandestine mining threaten the okapi’s natural habitat in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a World Heritage site. Armed men reportedly recently approached Epulu’s main station and patrol posts of the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation. On World Okapi Day, observed on October 18, Berce Sanfwansa, conservation director of the Okapi Conservation project, urged authorities, local communities and partners to work together. Three okapis are kept in captivity at Epulu for research and public awareness.