The birth of an okapi calf was recently captured on CCTV cameras at Chester Zoo.

The footage shows the calf falling to the ground in the dramatic fashion, before clambering to its feet only minutes later and taking its first wobbly steps.

Following a 14-month pregnancy, the calf, born to mum Ada and dad Stomp, has spent the first few weeks of his life in a quiet nest.

Found only in the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the okapi is so elusive that it went undiscovered to western science until 1901.

As a result, the animal has been nicknamed the 'African unicorn'.

Zookeepers have now revealed that the calf is male and they've named him Miloli, which translates to 'Joy' in Bantu - a family of languages spoken in central Africa.

Fiona Howe, lead keeper said: "The birth of an okapi is always a very special occasion and cause for celebration.

"To watch as mum Ada calmly welcomes her new baby into the world and gently encourages him to his feet was nothing short of magical.

"It offers a special insight into one of nature's most elusive and secretive species."

The okapi is the national symbol of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and is protected under Congolese law.

Despite this, its population has declined by more than 50% over the last 20 years - driven by illegal hunting for their meat and skins, widespread habitat loss and the civil conflict in the country.

The world's authority on the state of nature, The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has classified the species as Endangered on its Red List of Threatened Species.

"Our scientists have been supporting okapi reproduction for more than 15 years," said Sue Walker, head of science.

"By using the latest technologies to test hormones in okapi faecal samples, we can confirm the observations and behavioural changes recognised by zookeepers and in the process learn more about the species and their biology. 

"These findings have already been used to support the wider international conservation breeding programme that's safeguarding okapi populations from extinction."