The Little-Known Story of the Okapi's Discovery
The story of the Okapi's discovery in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is famous, but it's very much a colonial story that involves British and Belgian administrators taking advantage of Congolese knowledge. This thread discusses some key points.
Darren Naish
Zoologist, author Dr Darren Naish | Dinosaurs animals evolution | Books: DinosaursHTLE - All Yesterdays - DINOPEDIA. PREHISTORIC PLANET lead consultant AppleTV+
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I've been meaning for years to talk about little-known aspects of the #Okapi's discovery. There proved so much to say that I had to split things in two, and Part 1 is now live at Tetrapod Zoology: https://t.co/Hjt5KBM1dc A brief thread on some key points... pic.twitter.com/NCEVnPj2qA
— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 12, 2023 -
The story of #Okapi discovery in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DMC) is famous, but it's very much a colonial story that involves British and Belgian administrators taking advantage of Congolese knowledge, and which fails to credit the very problematic impact of Europeans... pic.twitter.com/Qr4tFyxQug
— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 12, 2023 -
Harry Johnston (Sir Harry as of 1896) became interested in the 'Atti' - a forest 'donkey' - after hearing of it from Henry Stanley (resting on hand in photo), and obtained skin segments (in 1900) and later a whole skin (1901) that he sent to England... #Okapi #mammals pic.twitter.com/IEWmVObuED
— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 12, 2023 -
Philip Sclater in England followed Johnston's belief that the #Okapi was a sort of forest zebra. Its giraffid status proved obvious though when the complete skin (with two skulls) was obtained, and this was acted on by Ray Lankester in England, who name it Okapia... pic.twitter.com/Z9FrntHV6Z
— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 12, 2023 -
Today, the whole story is ripe for reframing and retelling given its massive colonial bent. Given the atrocious impact of Belgians and British in the Congo... it's now an awkward story. Johnston did mention the knowledge he gained from Congolese people...
— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 12, 2023 -
... and, indeed, Johnston's initial depictions of the #Okapi were done without him seeing the animal alive (!), but the Congolese are just nameless background characters... pic.twitter.com/00kicsBhpc
— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 12, 2023 -
The discovery of the #Okapi was a revelation in Europe and elsewhere, but little known is that several controversies and arguments about it arose after its first outing in 1901. That's what I cover in part 2, coming soon. For now .... https://t.co/Hjt5KBM1dc
— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 12, 2023 -
Typo upthread: DRC hilariously became DMC
— Darren Naish (@TetZoo) April 12, 2023