The okapi, popularly known as the 'forest giraffe,' is more closely related to giraffes than to zebras.
Notes on verification
Confirmed by multiple independent zoological and taxonomic sources, including Wikipedia and accredited zoos, consistent with established Giraffidae classification. [cascade flags: wikipedia_dropped_other_sources_exist | tier=unverified indep_score=0.3 clusters=2 claim_tier=notable] [rescored 2026-09-15: curated origin-host map (PR #65); unclassified hosts no longer scored as aggregators]
Sources
- 5 Winners and Losers on New “Red List” of World's Rarest ... (seed:environment_and_wildlife)
- https://www.marylandzoo.org/animal/okapi/ (corroboration)
- https://www.columbuszoo.org/blog/it-horse-it-zebra-its-okapi (corroboration)