Vietnam begins to rescue Sao La -

The International Organization for Nature Conservation (WWF) in Vietnam chose July 9 as Sao La International Day.

In the morning of July 9, in Ho Chi Minh City, the International Organization for Conservation of Nature (WWF) in Vietnam officially launched the project "Save the Sao La - brother and mother" - a community campaign to help improve Awareness and deep participation of society to preserve this rare animal, a pride of nature Vietnam is facing the danger of extinction. At the same time, every 9/7 is also chosen by WWF - Vietnam as International Saola Day.

Given the name of " Lan" in Asia, Sao La is one of the most rare animals in the world. The species of saola so far has only been recognized by scientists in nature a few times since it was first discovered in 1992 by a scientific survey team of WWF and the Ministry of Forestry of Vietnam (now is the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development). Most recently in July 2013, WWF's thermal sensor trap system recorded the image of Sao La in the rugged mountain forest in Truong Son area, raising new hope for the survival of this species.

Given the name of "Lan" in Asia, Sao La is one of the most rare animals in the world.

Threatened by the theft of traps and the destruction of habitat due to illegal logging and unsustainable development projects, Sao La now has only a few hundred, even a few, individuals. guess by scientists. In 2006, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) identified the status of animals as "Critically Endangered" . Sao La experts around the world are urging the Government of Vietnam and Laos, conservationists, businesses, to join forces and pledge to protect this species.

As one of the first attempts to counter these threats, Saola Protected Areas were established in Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Nam in 2010 and 2011, with support from WWF - Vietnam. As part of the Carbon Reservation and Biodiversity Conservation Project (CarBi), these protected areas are now connected, creating an important seamless habitat for Sao La, covering more than 200,000 hectares. Truong Son forest along the Vietnam - Laos border.

By the end of 2015, forest guards selected by WWF from the local community helped remove more than 75,000 types of traps and destroyed over 1,000 illegal camps of logging and poaching groups.