Saola, Pseudoryx nghetinhensis, (aka Vu Quang ox) 4 - 5 month old female at the Forest Inventory & Planning Institute Botanical Garden. Hanoi, Vietnam Photo: (c) WWF-Canon / David HULSE

  

The saola (pronounced: sow-la) was discovered just 15 years ago by a team of scientists from WWF and the Vietnamese Ministry of Forestry. It was the first large mammal discovered anywhere in the world since 1936. Scientists are still trying to figure out whether the saola is a goat, antelope or cow species. Only eleven have ever been recorded alive and fewer than 250 are estimated to exist today.

The discovery came about when a team of scientists from WWF and Vietnam's Ministry of Forestry were shown a pair of long, almost straight, horns from a large mammal while conducting a 1992 survey in central Vietnam. They didn't know what to think. But after discussions with local villagers and the discovery of two additional pairs of horns, they were amazed at what they had -- a new species of large mammal, one of only five discovered in the last 100 years. After further scientific examination of the horns, the saola was officially described in 1993.

 “The saola population in Thue Thien Hue and Quang Nam provinces offers the best, if not the only, chance for this unique flagship species of the Annamite Mountains to survive in Vietnam,” said Dr. Barney Long, Central Truong Son Conservation Landscape Coordinator for WWF Greater Mekong – Vietnam Programme. “Establishing these three extensions to the Vietnamese protected area network helps create an essential stronghold for the saola to survive. Moreover, the area holds a suite of endemic and endangered species such as the Truongson muntjac, red-shanked douc and white-cheeked crested gibbon as well as many other newly and yet to be described species.”

The saola is threatened by extinction primarily due to hunting which is prevalent throughout the species’ range. Research conducted by WWF over the last year has indicated a rapid decline in saola numbers in the area since the wire snare-trap was introduced in the mid 1990s.  Hunting is driven by demand for wild meat in the affluent urban centers. Lines of hundreds of snares are set at a time and hunting dogs also pose a large threat to the saola due to their distinctive defensive response to the presence of dogs.

“This is a momentous occasion and one which marks the culmination of years of hard work by the Forest Protection Departments of Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam provinces as well as Bach Ma National Park,” said Mrs. Tran Minh Hien, WWF Greater Mekong – Vietnam Programme Director.

Saola 4 - 5 month old female at the Forest Inventory & Planning Institute Botanical Garden. Hanoi, Vietnam Photo: (c) WWF-Canon / David HULSE

 

“The saola acts as an emblem of conservation efforts in Vietnam, yet it remains on the brink of extinction and so WWF is committed to supporting local agencies to develop locally appropriate interventions to ensure its survival.”

In recognition of these commitments that represent critical first steps in the conservation of the saola, WWF honored the Forest Protection Departments of Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam as well as Bach Ma National Park with a ‘Leaders for a Living Planet’ Award.

Note:

The full WWF-US recent story on Saola are available at http://worldwildlife.org/wildplaces/flm/updates/saola.cfm

And

The story of the WWF discovery of the saola, “WWF Scientists Make Landmark Discoveries” is available at: http://worldwildlife.org/wildplaces/flm/results.cfm.