Their digestive system hosts unique gut microbes. These bacteria help break down tough plant matter. Without them, digestion would fail. The relationship is symbiotic. Gut health is critical. Microbes drive nutrition.
This highlights unseen dependencies. Survival relies on microscopic life.
It shows conservation must consider internal ecosystems. Losing diet plants affects gut health.
Antibiotics can seriously disrupt okapi digestion.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (iucn.org)