Plains okapi (SciiFii)

The plains okapi (Hippomeryx cervitragus) is a species of giraffid, most closely related to the forest okapi, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, and scrublands across sub-Saharan Africa to help boost biodiversity. The plains okapi is more gracile in build in comparison to forest okapis, with longer legs, and being shorter than its relatives. Typical height is about 12–14 feet (48–56 inches, 122–142 cm), and length is about 2.1 meters (6 feet 11 inches). It weighs around 300 kilograms (660 lbs). The plains okapi is not very specialized for grazing, and displays a mixed browser-grazer strategy that allows it to exploit the most available vegetation type at any moment. The plains okapis form troops of between five and fifteen members, consisting of an old bull, his cows (females) and calves. The offspring stay in the family group until they are no longer dependent, usually at two or three years old. Young females join other harems, while bachelor bulls as well as old bulls who have lost their harems join bachelor groups. Family groups can join to form a herd that moves together. The patterns of their daily lives exhibit behavior similar to that of horse herds. Bulls herd, drive, and defend all members of their family, while the cows often display leadership in the family. Bulls and cows stay with their preferred partners for years. While behavioral synchronization is high among cows, bulls other than the main harem bulls are generally less stable in this respect. Plains okapis maintain visual contact with their family and herd at all times, and have a host of ways to communicate with one another, including vocalizations, scent marking, and a wide range of visual and tactile signals. Each kick, groom, tilt of the ear, or other contact with another plains okapi is a means of communicating. This constant communication leads to complex social behaviors among plains okapis. Mating occurs year-round, but preferably during the dry season. Mating bulls do not start looking for mating partners until the age of ﬁve. Bulls assemble groups of cows or challenge the leader of another group for dominance. Females are able to give birth at the age of three and have a gestation period of 11–12 months, during the early wet season. Calves are able to stand about an hour after birth. The rate of infant mortality among calves is 25%, with 83.3% of these deaths resulting from leading bull infanticide. Calves begin grazing within a few weeks but are not weaned for 8–13 months after birth. They reach sexual maturity at two years of age. The conservation status of the plains okapi is Vulnerable due to habitat loss and poaching, however, thanks to the conservationists, the plains okapi is a protected species.