Replica Cryptia: Okapis
Posted by: Loren Coleman on November 16th, 2007
The story of the okapi (Okapia johnstoni), from its 1900-1901 discovery to the June 9, 2006 announcement of its rediscovery in the Congo’s Virunga National Park, has made this prehistoric relative of the giraffe one of the first “darlings of cryptozoology.”
The International Society of Cryptozoology used an okapi as their logo (above), as have others (below).
The first illustrations that were published upon their discovery, show the okapis as truly dynamic animals (below).
Old drawings then took on a static look. Some made the link between the giraffe and okapi (below), as in this early turn of the 20th century drawing, in which the text noted that the okapi “gives a good idea of what the giraffe’s ancestors were like.”
As to replicas, both companies, Safari and Schleich, do good jobs with their models.
The Safari Okapi (above).
Two views of the Schleich Okapi (above and below).
The following replica okapi is made by an unknown company. The search goes on to discovery which one. Let me know if you find out which one.
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Please donate to the International Cryptozoology Museum by sending your financial donations, unwanted or extra replica animals, or cryptozoology artifacts to Loren Coleman, Director, ICM, PO Box 360, Portland, ME 04112, or via any fiscal donations to PayPal at LColeman@maine.rr.com
Just for clarification, the museum is not a 501(c)3 public charity or private foundation.
Thank you.
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This is a very cool series of blogs.
Agreed. I’m wishing I still had my old plastic dinos now. I do have an inflatable pterodactyl, though…
Seriously, though, this stuff is neat, Loren. Thanks.
Keep it up, I love these articles.
I’d imagine there are a ton of cryptozoological animals in replica form. Like the Thylacine, Architeuthus, coelacanth, Saola, moa, etc. I’m trying to find a Laotion Rock Rat…
Maybe, to go out on a limb, cougars and grizzely bears if in the context of Colorado or the eastern US? (I suppose one could also get a chimp replica and put it in the context of the Bili Ape, but again, definetly out on a limb).
Actually, there are less than you can imagine. I have yet to see one of a coelacanth or saola, but then that’s jumping ahead of the story for today.
One or a few at a time, so I’ll stay on-target and on-topic with the okapis.
Darren Naish has just backchanneled me, saying he thinks the unknown okapi replica appears to be from the Chinese company AAA, but he’s not certain.
I appreciate the feedback that most people are enjoying where this feature is going.
I really like these articles. I remember in the private school I attended, okapi was the animal they used for “O” in their lesson plan to help teach the kindergarteners their ABC’s.
I’m beginning a craving for these kind of wonderful replicas
That’s very suprising, but you’re totally right.
Surely there is something somewhere, though I have yet to find a thing.