Perhaps here, at Röderbergweg 168, lies a treasure trove of visual stories. This is Okapia KG Michael Grzimek & Co, a German photo agency. It specializes in nature and wildlife photography. Okapia was founded in Frankfurt am Main in 1954. Michael and Bernhard Grzimek started it as a production company. They initially focused on documentary films.
Okapia’s archive contains around 1.8 million digital images. These images cover wildlife, science, and medicine. The agency boasts a rich history. Okapia produced “Kein Platz für wilde Tiere” in 1956. The film won two Golden Bears. It also received the German Film Award. Another notable film is “Serengeti darf nicht sterben.” It won an Oscar in 1960 for Best Documentary. It was the first German film to achieve this honor.
During filming and research, Okapia collected a vast amount of visual material. This material was archived and used to illustrate Bernhard Grzimek’s publications. This marked the beginning of Okapia’s extensive photo archive. Tragedy struck in 1959. Michael Grzimek died in a plane crash during the filming of “Serengeti darf nicht sterben.” His widow, Erika Grzimek, took over his role. She remained a personally liable partner until her death in February 2020.
Over the years, Okapia evolved into a successful nature image archive. Besides its own productions, Okapia began marketing images from agency photographers. These included Joan Root, Art Wolfe, and Fritz Pölking. Later, members of the Society of German Animal Photographers joined.
Christian Grzimek, Michael and Erika’s son, joined the management in 1980. Around 2000, Okapia acquired the agencies Save-Bild and Helga Lade. This expanded the image offerings to include stock photography. In the 2000s, Okapia increased its integration of international partners’ image collections. Today, Okapia collaborates with approximately 40 partner agencies. It also works with 600 photographers. The total collection amounts to roughly 1.8 million digital images. All are available online.
Okapia offers a wide range of subjects. They have exotic and native animals. They also feature wild and domestic animals. Botanical images include medicinal plants. Okapia also covers health topics. You can find images of pathogens and treatments. For science and technology, Okapia is a great resource. They also provide classic stock images. These include travel, lifestyle, and food. Okapia’s team can assist with image searches. They are ready to compile selections based on specific requests. Okapia stands as a testament to the power of visual storytelling. It also highlights dedication to wildlife and scientific documentation.