Female okapids usually give birth to a single calf after a long gestation. Gestation lasts around 14 to 15 months. Calves grow slowly and require extended maternal care. This means population growth is naturally limited. Losses are difficult to replace quickly. This makes the species especially vulnerable to threats.
Slow reproduction increases extinction risk. Every individual becomes critically important.
This fact highlights why conservation must focus on prevention. Recovery is a long-term process.
Okapids may only produce a few calves in their entire lifetime.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (iucn.org)