Houston Zoo is making history this weekend with its first-ever celebration of this beloved holiday — and there’s a very special baby making their debut too.

HOUSTON — The Houston Zoo will celebrate its inaugural Día de los Muertos festival this weekend while giving visitors their first chance to see a rare baby okapi, the zoo announced Tuesday.

The zoo will extend its hours from 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on November 1 and 2 for the celebration. During those hours, guests can view the female okapi Sukari and her male calf, who will be on exhibit next to the Asian elephants until noon each day.

The calf was born on September 8 and has been bonding with his mother behind the scenes since then. He now weighs 77 pounds and is ready to explore his habitat publicly for the first time.

Okapi are an endangered species native to the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. 


His name will be chosen by the Goosen Family, who won the naming rights during a live auction at the zoo’s recent Zoo Ball fundraiser.

The Día de los Muertos celebration marks the zoo’s first time hosting the traditional Mexican holiday honoring deceased loved ones. The event will feature glowing decorations, festive photo opportunities, and La Catrina, one of the holiday’s most recognizable symbols.

The zoo plans to honor some of its beloved animals who have passed by placing their photos on an ofrenda, or altar. Visitors are encouraged to bring photos of cherished animals from their own lives to add to the display. A craft station will also be available for guests to create artwork of their favorite animals.


Protecting okapi

The Houston Zoo is asking visitors to pitch in by recycling old cell phones and other handheld electronics at the zoo. These devices contain a metal called tantalum that’s mined in Central African rainforests, the same place okapi live. The mining destroys their habitat, but recycling your old gadgets helps cut down on the need for more mining. 

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