Here’s an article about the upcoming JICA and Yokohama Zoological Gardens Zoorasia event, explaining it in an easy-to-understand manner:
Discover the Okapi’s Home: A Journey to the Congo Basin with JICA and Zoorasia
Yokohama, Japan – June 24, 2025 – Get ready for an exciting and educational event that will transport you to the heart of Africa! The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Yokohama Zoological Gardens Zoorasia are joining forces to present a unique opportunity to learn about the fascinating world of the okapi and its vital habitat, the Congo Basin. This special event, titled “Let’s Learn About the Okapi’s Homeland: Deepening Understanding of the ‘Lungs of the Earth’ – The Congo Basin,” is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
This collaboration aims to raise awareness about one of the planet’s most precious and biodiverse regions, the Congo Basin, and to highlight the importance of international cooperation in its conservation.
What is the Congo Basin? Why is it So Important?
Often referred to as the “Lungs of the Earth,” the Congo Basin is a vast tropical rainforest located in Central Africa. It’s the second-largest rainforest in the world, after the Amazon. Imagine a sprawling, lush green carpet teeming with life – that’s the Congo Basin!
This incredible ecosystem plays a crucial role in our global environment for several key reasons:
- Oxygen Production: Like all rainforests, the Congo Basin produces a significant amount of the oxygen we breathe.
- Climate Regulation: It helps regulate global weather patterns and absorbs a vast amount of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
- Biodiversity Hotspot: The Congo Basin is home to an astonishing variety of plants and animals, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
Meet the Okapi: A “Forest Giraffe” and its Rainforest Home
The star of this event is the okapi ( Okapia johnstoni ). While it might look a bit like a zebra with its striped legs, the okapi is actually the closest living relative of the giraffe! These shy and elusive creatures are found only in the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo, within the heart of the Congo Basin.
The okapi’s unique appearance – with its reddish-brown body, striking black and white leg stripes, and velvety fur – is a perfect camouflage for its forest home. Sadly, the okapi is an endangered species, facing threats from habitat loss due to deforestation, poaching, and human activities.
What to Expect at the Event
This event offers a fantastic chance for visitors of all ages to:
- Learn About the Congo Basin: Through engaging presentations and educational materials, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of this vital rainforest, its incredible biodiversity, and the challenges it faces.
- Discover the Okapi: Learn about the okapi’s lifestyle, its unique characteristics, and why its conservation is so important. You’ll likely have the opportunity to see Zoorasia’s own okapis up close and learn about their care!
- Understand International Cooperation: JICA will share insights into its ongoing efforts to support sustainable development and conservation initiatives in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo. This will highlight how international collaboration is essential for protecting shared global resources like the Congo Basin.
- Connect with Nature and Conservation: The event aims to foster a sense of wonder and responsibility towards the natural world and encourage active participation in conservation efforts.
This partnership between JICA and Zoorasia is a wonderful initiative to connect people with the importance of wildlife and the environments they inhabit, especially those facing critical challenges. It’s a chance to see how our actions can impact distant ecosystems and to learn how we can all contribute to a healthier planet.
Mark your calendars for July 27, 2025, and prepare for an enlightening journey to the Congo Basin with the okapi as your guide!
★新着★よこはま動物園ズーラシア・国際協力機構（JICA）共催『オカピのふるさとを知ろう：「地球の肺」コンゴ盆地について理解を深める』 （2025年7月27日開催）
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At 2025-06-24 06:00, ‘★新着★よこはま動物園ズーラシア・国際協力機構（JICA）共催『オカピのふるさとを知ろう：「地球の肺」コンゴ盆地について理解を深める』 （2025年7月27日開催）’ was published according to 国際協力機構. Please write a detailed article with related information in an easy-to-understand manner. Please answer in English.
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