The mystery of the saola species

After nearly 20 years of discovering saola, the information about Sao la's habitats and habits is still very limited to the scientific community.

>>>Saola - impressive discovery for 100 years

The International Nature Conservation Fund (WWF), the IUCN Committee for Species of Life (SWG) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have warned this species is on the way of extinction due to intense hunting and ineffective management in conservation areas.

Hidden numbers . Sao La

Mr. Nick Cox, Species Program Manager of WWF-Greater Mekong said;'Saola is a very shy animal, rarely able to catch them. Although saola resides in a very narrow area, no scientist has seen it in the wild yet. The species of Saola caught are not able to survive in captivity. '

Because of their hidden nature, scientists have not been able to assess the exact number of Sao la populations. Mr. William Robichaud, Coordinator of the Saola Research Group surmised: 'The best case, there may still be several hundred individual saola in the wild, the worst is only a few dozen individuals'.

Saola

Although the development of infrastructure is encroaching on Sao la's habitat, the biggest threat to this species is poaching. Saola is often caught by hunters' traps, which are used to hunt other animals such as deer, gills, wild pigs, etc. These species bring greater profits in the wildlife trade market due to demand. about Chinese medicine in China and the food market in Vietnam and Laos.

Need to establish critical conservation areas

After finding Saola, Vietnam and Laos have built a network of Protected Areas in the habitat of Sao la. Some NRs have implemented effective measures to prevent poaching. At Sao la Nature Reserve in Thua Thien Hue province, WWF is currently supporting a new forest patrol method, co-managed by WWF and the NR and initially gave positive results. From February 2011, during patrols in the NR, patrols removed more than 12,500 traps and nearly 200 shelters of loggers.

Dr Barney Long, Asia Species Specialist of WWF - USA, said: 'The Government of Vietnam and Laos need to establish key conservation areas. However, if there is no attempt to implement new management measures to protect the habitat of Sao la through the removal of poaching traps, these reserves will remain only lines drawn on the map. never mind'.

'If the hunting is reduced, the future of this species will be better,' said Chris Hallam, WCS - Laos Conservation Planning Advisor. 'This requires strengthening forest protection forces in the habitat of Saola, there must be more subsidies for their conservation efforts and especially to reduce the demand for food and drugs for animals. wild'.

The urgency of efforts to save the saola species increased when the Javan rhino - another Vietnamese flagship species was declared extinct when the individual rhino was eventually killed by poachers in the year. 2010.

'This year we celebrate the 20th year of the discovery of Saola, but this will also be the last anniversary if urgent measures are not implemented,' Hallam added.