Saola, the Asian unicorn, is one of the crucial mysterious and rare animals on this planet. It was discovered in 1992 in Vietnam and is a brand new genus of Bovidae that features cows, sheep, goats and deer. The saola has two sharp, parallel horns that may reach a length of fifty cm and are owned by each women and men. It can also be known for its striking white facial markings and huge upper jaw glands on its muzzle.
Saola’s protection could be very disturbing. Its population has been declining dramatically yr by yr as a consequence of rampant poaching in Vietnam since 1994. In 2001, the saola population was estimated at 70–700 in Laos and a whole bunch in Vietnam. Estimates later dropped to over 100 individuals, meaning the species was classified as “threatened” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list.
The last saola was captured on a camera trap in 2013 within the Saola Nature Reserve in central Vietnam. Since then, locals have continued to report its presence in and near Pu Mat National Park in Vietnam and in Bolikhamxay Province in Laos.
Various exploration efforts have been carried out geared toward breeding programs. Social awareness was also built and knowledge was sought amongst the general public. As many as 300 camera traps were installed across the protected Khoun Xe Nongma forest in Laos. However, there was no result up to now.
According to the IUCN, only about 30% of the Saola’s potential habitats have been observed, and only 2% of the areas have been intensively explored. Camera trap technology is believed to be insufficient to detect the animal.
To scale up the seek for saola, plenty of capital is required. “It is clear that if we want to save this species from extinction, the scale and intensity of searches need to be significantly increased,” said Nerissa Chao, director of the IUCN Species Survival Committee, as quoted by The Guardian.
Additionally, a corporation called the Saola Foundation can also be raising funds for a dog training program that may detect signs of saola presence, akin to droppings. If the lab results are positive, a team of wildlife experts will go into the forest to search for saoli. If successful, the captured saola might be taken to a breeding center.
