Q'ret, a Kobali male
Jhet'leya, a Kobali female
The Kobali are a humanoid Delta Quadrant species.
They are warp-capable with a technology level comparable to that of Starfleet. Their medical knowledge is more advanced, however, as they can reanimate someone who is dead for more than two weeks. Kobali also have high regards for every life which is honored by the saying 'Never harbor anger towards those who have brought you death for they gave you the chance to live again.'
Kobali do not procreate to get offspring like other species; they salvage dead sentient life forms which they reanimate. Over a period of several months the DNA of the reanimated life form is altered by means of a genetic pathogen that converts most of the DNA into a Kobali protein structure. These biochemical changes affect every part of the body, leaving only trace amounts of the original DNA. After this he or she is given an Kobali name and placed in a Kobali family to help them acclimate.
Reanimating is the most important Kobali custom which can be of conflict with other species burial customs when they occasionally meet. Reanimation causes extensive memory loss and some people will remember parts of their former life, better known as kyn'steya. There are people who remember so much that it will force them to escape in search of their former life. They will be searched for by other Kobali to return them home.
Kobali physiology differs from humans. They have a six-lobed brain and a binary cardiovascular system. The Kobali form cannot be reversed because there is not enough original DNA present after the alteration to do this. It is, however, possible to change a person's appearance by inaprovaline injection, which needs to be repeated to maintain the life form's previous appearance. This only helps for a short period of time because the Kobali genetic pathogen will undo the changes.
There is not much variety in their diet; their main food looks like gray paste. When tasting other foods like a Jibelian berry salad, it will have a metallic flavor to them.
Kobali made first contact with Humans in 2376 via the starship USS Voyager when they were searching for a Kobali who escaped her family in search of her former life. This contact did not proceed smoothly, but fortunately hostilities ended before they escalated. This is the only contact that the Kobali have had with Starfleet. (VOY: "Ashes to Ashes")