A Celebration of Life at Houston Zoo

First Dia de los Muertos Celebration Plus Rare Baby Okapi Public Debut

Houston Zoo is honoring life and legacy with its first Dia de los Muertos celebration and invites guests to get a first glimpse of a rare okapi calf. On November 1 and 2 the Zoo will be open for extended hours from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. Guests will also have the opportunity to see female okapi Sukari with her new calf who will be on exhibit, next to the Asian elephants, until noon.

During Dia de los Muertos, guests will enjoy glowing decorations, festive photo ops and will see La Catrina, one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday. The Zoo will honor some of their beloved animals by placing their photo on the ofrenda (altar). Guests are invited to bring a photo of a cherished animal in their life to add to the ofrenda. A craft station will also be available for guests who feel inspired to create artwork of their favorite animal.

Guests who visit the Zoo during Dia de los Muertos will also meet the Zoo’s newest addition to the okapi herd. He was born on Sept. 8 and has spent time bonding with mom behind the scenes. Now at 77 pounds, he is big enough to explore his new home in the okapi habitat.

The calf’s name will be chosen by Zoo supporters and friends, the Goosen Family, who placed the winning bid to name the okapi calf during a live auction at this weekend’s Zoo Ball fundraiser.

Okapi are an endangered species found in the rainforests of Democratic Republic of Congo. By recycling cell phones and other hand-held electronics at the Houston Zoo, guests are helping to save wild animals in Central Africa, like the okapi. The metal tantalum used in these electronics is destructively mined in Central African rainforests, taking away animal habitats. By recycling cell phones and small electronics guests are reducing the demand for new materials to be mined.