Save The Saola Booklet

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DISCOVERING THE SAOLA – ASIA’S UNICORN SUMMARY

T

he shy and solitary saola steps silently through the forests of the Annamite Mountains in Vietnam and Laos, evading conservationists keen to learn more about this enigmatic animal. Never before seen by a biologist in the wild, this striking antelope-like animal with its two distinctive spiral horns and prominent white facial markings is sadly on the brink of extinction. Very few animals compare to the saola in their need for urgent conservation intervention. It is possible that just a few dozen may be left in the wild (and certainly no more than 200) making the saola now critically endangered. With no animals kept in captivity, reintroduction would be impossible should it become extinct in the wild. Far more at risk than other Asian mammals such as the tiger, giant panda and orangutan, the saola has received little support in comparison

since its exciting discovery in 1992. Despite its genetic distinctiveness and highly threatened status, two decades have now passed with little effective intervention to protect the species and its habitat. The saola now has little time left and there is a small but rapidly closing window to conserve this beautiful and incredibly significant creature. Threatened as by-catch in poacher’s snares and hunted accidentally by their dogs, the saola has become an indirect target of rampant poaching in the region. Conservationists need to intervene urgently to remove these illegal snares and guard the forest. However, challenged by unruly terrain and the saola’s shy behaviour, and lacking financial input, conservationists are struggling to learn more about the saola’s behaviour to allow effective conservation plans to be implemented. The problem is

further exacerbated as the habitat in which the saola seeks solace is in rapid decline, being lost to economic development and increased agriculture. A coordinated, informed conservation effort is needed, and it is needed now. Can you help the Saola Working Group and its partners learn more about this beautiful animal and make sure it can safely shelter in the Annamite Mountain range? We need to act now, and act together, before the saola is lost forever.


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