Okapids represent an ancient evolutionary line. They retain traits from early giraffids. Their isolation preserved these features. Modern giraffes evolved differently. Okapids offer insight into past ecosystems. They are living fossils.
This makes them scientifically invaluable. Losing them would erase history.
It emphasizes conservation beyond numbers. Some species hold irreplaceable data.
Okapids were unknown to Western science until 1901.
Natural History Museum (nhm.ac.uk)