Hi,
The Okapi is certainly a strange animal but it is not a cross of anything.
I'm not an expert but my understanding is that the Okapi is considered the closest living relative of the giraffe (although they are only moderately closely related), and basically looks like what the short-necked ancestors of giraffes might have looked like.
To find out more, go to:
Google
and type "okapi"...
Here's a few good sites I found since most websites are crap:
The page cannot be foundhttp://www.wildlifesearch.com/okapi.htm Vetzoo
What's cool from that last site is a comparison of an okapi skull to a giraffe skull. On the outside okapis look like a donkey, but on the inside...
Family Resemblance: Giraffe Skull (left) & Okapi Skull (right)
Good luck with your project,
nic
PS: Fossil-wise, you can find the names of the fossils related to okapis and giraffes here:
Transitional Vertebrate Fossils FAQ: Part 2C
[This message has been edited by Nic Tamzek, 02-21-2003]
[This message has been edited by Nic Tamzek, 02-21-2003]