Safari Stars – An Okapi Update

Photo from Disney Parks Blog

As part of my Safari Stars series I like to update you whenever something important happens to one of the animals found on Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I am happy to announce that on June 21 an Okapi named Nafuna was born. Nafuna means “delivered feet first.” The newborn Okapi weighed 35 pounds at birth. Congratulations!

To learn more about Nafuna and her family visit the Disney Parks Blog .

I find it interesting that we teach kids about lions and elephants, but we don’t usually teach them about the more unusual animals. I think that we should broaden our general list of animals and include some of the ones that are less common, such as the okapi. This unique animal that looks like half a zebra but is actually related to giraffes should be recognizable to everyone. You don’t even have to go to Africa if you want to see one up close, all you have to do is take a Disney vacation to Florida. Happiness Squared.

Goofy Tip: Another place at Walt Disney World where you can see unique African animals like the Okapi is at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. Anyone, even people not staying at the resort can walk around the lodge and see the animals on the savanna. If you are looking for a great place to eat make reservations for Jiko. They serve great flat-breads and other traditional dishes. Plan to arrive early so you have time to see the animals. You can say hi to Nafuna’s dad.