Okapis, magic invisible giraffes (not really)

There's a big brouhaha in the natural history world at the moment. The Zoological Society of London released new pictures of the okapi, the giraffe's closest living relative, in the wild. Apparently these are the first pictures ever taken of the okapi in the wild using camera traps, and confirm that, in Virunga at least, okapi have not been wiped out by the civil war in the Congo.

It's a big deal because okapis are very hard to find, as their striped rumps allow them to blend in very well in the undergrowth of the forests in which they dwell. They are extremely quiet when moving, and do not vocalise any cries normally. This is inferred because the other semi-plausible hypothesis is that they possess the power of invisibility.

There are a couple of okapis at London Zoo. They're pretty big as I recall, about 6 feet at the shoulder, and about 8 feet long. They certainly stimulate the cuteness reflex, with big eyes, spindly legs and large, flexible lips.

More pictures here.

More links:

Greg Laden, who's eaten okapi, and thinks it tastes like elephant.
Brian Switek, on the history of the discovery of the okapi.
Science & Soul, with some information on the significance of okapis to cryptozoology.