How does ColTan mining impact

wildlife ?Okapi are one of many animals that are impacted by

mineral mining.

What are okapi?

• One of the most unique large mammal in the world! It is the national animal of the Democratic Republic of the Congo – where most of the minerals for our cell phones are mined.

What makes okapi so special?

• Okapi are beautiful and unusual. With its white and black hindquarters – it looks like it must be related to a zebra! But if you look closely at the okapi’s head, you’ll notice its resemblance to giraffes. It’s actually the only living relative to the giraffe! They are about 6 feet tall and weigh up to 550 pounds.

Why okapi are in trouble?

• Okapi live in the rainforest and are very shy and secretive. They are only found in the Democratic Republic of Congo and nowhere else. The Congo also happens to have a very large supply of precious minerals underground that people all over the world use for electronics, such as cell phones. These minerals are mined legally and illegally. The illegal trade of minerals (blood minerals) is causing problems for people, animals and nature in Democratic Republic of Congo.

How do these blood minerals in our cell phones effect okapi?

• Illegal mining, or the unregulated digging of minerals from the ground, harms nature and wildlife. Okapi are often killed when they encounter people at mines, or their habitat is destroyed like in the photo below.

How can you help okapi?

• You can help okapi by waiting to upgrade your electronics (such as phones), recycling your old cell phone, or buying electronics from companies that do not use blood minerals.