Save the la star

Last August, Vietnamese and international biological conservationists attended an emergency meeting held in Vientiane (Laos) to find ways to resolve the threat of extinction on one of the most mysterious animals. of the world - saola.

The saola is now listed as an extremely dangerous group in the World Conservation Organization (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, meaning that they are facing a very high risk of extinction in nature.

Sao la captured by camera trap in Laos in 1999
(Photo: SWG - IUCN)

The risk of disappearing

In Vietnam from 1999-2004, although many field surveys were conducted, including camera traps, the information of the saola became less and less. Some opinions suggest that when the number of individuals of this species is the lowest, it requires more sophisticated research and supervision facilities while the capacity of local conservation organizations is still inadequate.

The risk of losing stars is mainly due to human hunting. Sao la only lives in very small habitats, which are rocky cliffs of rivers, so it is easy to hunt for traps. Moreover, this species is very afraid of dogs, so when it comes to dogs barking, they almost know to defend themselves by hiding in the rocks, so they are easily captured. Hunters believe that if you want to trap stars, only dogs are the most powerful weapon, others say they are also susceptible to hanging traps, a common trap used by animal hunters.

The number of transportation and consumption of wild meat is increasing. Only from 2000 until now, Thua Thien - Hue has 543 violations of forest animal trafficking and transport, including three criminal prosecutions. A long-time ranger of Thua Thien - Hue Forest Protection Department affirmed that among the captured shipments so far, they have no skills to distinguish between venison, meat or meat. saola However, this does not exclude the star la being hunted to serve the food of ' god '.

'Historical moment'

' We are at a historic moment in front of a very small opportunity and are quickly closing in to protect this particular animal. This door may have closed to the gray cow, we must make efforts to assert? Why can't it be the next species? 'said William Robichaud, IUCN's working group coordinator, speaking at the emergency meeting mentioned above.

' From plan to action ' - the topic of the meeting - as the last attempt to save the saola from extinction in the coming time. The scientists also discussed new approaches in the study of how to use radio detection devices, even collecting stool samples for analysis as well as raising awareness for the community. Localities have saola and promote the implementation of commitments by central and local governments in Laos and Vietnam.

In Thua Thien - Hue, efforts to establish saola conservation area in A Luoi district are facing obstacles because the locality has no abundant financial resources, while Thua Thien - Hue and Salavan province of Laos are seen. is a place that fosters hope for the future of conservation for this animal. The last attempt to save rare and precious stars is rushing to action and the results are still ahead of this tough road.

Mysterious animals

Sao la (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) often lives in the watershed of rivers with rocky cliffs.The forest area of ​​the provinces bordering the Laos - Vietnam border along the Truong Son range found this species' information after it was discovered by Vietnamese and international scientists in 1992 in Vu Quang, Ha Tinh.At the time of discovery, saola was a rare animal with a very small population.Saola becomes more and more mysterious when information about this animal is becoming less and less, even when scientists use modern camera traps still can't find their traces.

In appearance, the saola looks like an Arabian antelope, but in fact it has a closer relationship with the breeds of cattle.The white stripes stand out on the face and the elongated horns create a distinct beauty and discreet living environment in the moist forests in the Truong Son range, evoking the mysterious looks of this species.