A male okapi born at Singapore’s Rainforest Wild Adventure on the morning of July 27, 2026, is the first of his species born in Southeast Asia. His parents, seven-year-old Kisala and four-year-old Xandor, are both first-time parents.
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How is the calf growing?
The calf weighed about 20 kg when first weighed the day after his birth. By September 24, Mandai reported that he weighed 48 kg—more than twice as much—and was gradually exploring his outdoor habitat. He is spending his early months with Kisala in the Hidden Forest at Rainforest Wild Adventure East.
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Can visitors see him?
Visitors can look for Kisala and the calf in the Hidden Forest, but his gradual introduction to the outdoor habitat means a sighting is possible, not guaranteed. No regular viewing date for the calf has been confirmed in the available reporting. Mandai lists daily Okapi Ranger Talks in the Hidden Forest at 10:30am and 3pm; those talks are an opportunity to learn about the species, not a promise that the calf will appear.
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Why is an okapi birth notable?
Despite its zebra-like striped legs, the okapi is the giraffe’s only living relative. It lives in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is endangered. Mandai was the first zoological institution in Southeast Asia to showcase okapis; this calf is the region’s first reported okapi birth. Kisala and Xandor were brought to Singapore as part of a coordinated breeding programme for threatened species.
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What are the naming choices?
Mandai has asked the public to help name the calf through its Facebook and Instagram pages, where people can also follow updates. The reported choices are Imara (“strong”), Mayaka (“pearl”) and Kiah (“dawn”). Check Mandai’s current posts before taking part, as the reported naming invitation may change.
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The park has also reported themed food and merchandise to mark the birth, though the available information does not establish a dependable product list or prices. Elsewhere at Rainforest Wild Adventure, Diana monkeys are another species newly presented in Singapore; The Straits Times reports plans for sitatunga antelope and new lemurs, without a confirmed arrival date in the information available here.
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