Scientists overlooked the okapi, a giraffe relative, until 1901
Communities in Congo knew the animal well, while a skull arriving in London in 1901 left scientists puzzled.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
This story is no longer being updated. It reflects reporting up to .
What happened
For centuries, science overlooked the okapi, though Indigenous communities in the Congo knew it well. After a skull arrived in London in 1901, researchers struggled to identify the animal.
Why it matters
Scientists had little understanding of the animal for years after its skull reached Europe.
Coverage
- Science Missed the Giraffe’s Only Relative Until 1901 (Yahoo News)
- Science Missed the Giraffe's Only Relative Until 1901 (a-z-animals.com)
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