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Only recently discovered, the saola is already at risk. Its rarity, distinctiveness and vulnerability make it one of the greatest priorities for conservation in the Indochina region.
© WWF / David HULSE
Key Facts
Common name
Common Names
Saola
Latin name
Scientific Name
Pseudoryx nghetinhensis
Geographic place
Geographic Location
Indochina
Discovered in May 1992, during a joint survey carried out by the Ministry of Forestry of Vietnam and WWF in the Vu Quang Nature Reserve (north-central Vietnam), the species remains almost as elusive today.
Physical Description
With its unusually long horns and characteristic white markings on the face, the saola is a strong symbol for biodiversity in Lao and Vietnam.
The saola has two parallel horns with sharp ends, which can reach 50cm. These are found on both males and females, probably as a means of defense.
Size
Weight: 80-100kg
Height: around 85cm
Population & Distribution
Despite the little information available on this saola, there is no doubt that its existence is severely threatened. Since its discovery, it is believed to have rapidly declined in the face of ever-growing hunting pressure. No formal surveys have been undertaken to determine accurate population numbers, but IUCN estimates the total saola population to be less than 750, likely to be much less.
Saola are distributed in scattered locations in the Annamites, along the northwest-southeast Vietnam - Lao border. In Vietnam, the species is distributed from the Ca River in the north to Quang Nam province in the south, but its exact limits are not clearly understood.
Within this area, distribution is patchy. In Lao, there are confirmed reports of the species in the southern part of Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA (National Biodiversity Conservation Area). Reports of saola south of this area include Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Hue and Quang Nam in Vietnam and Sekong in Lao.
Breeding
The species appears to have a fixed breeding season: in Lao, births take place at the beginning of the rains, between April and June. Gestation has been estimated at about 8 months.
With its unusually long horns and characteristic white markings on the face, the saola is a strong symbol for biodiversity in Lao and Vietnam.
The saola has two parallel horns with sharp ends, which can reach 50cm. These are found on both males and females, probably as a means of defense.
Size
Weight: 80-100kg
Height: around 85cm
Population & Distribution
Despite the little information available on this saola, there is no doubt that its existence is severely threatened. Since its discovery, it is believed to have rapidly declined in the face of ever-growing hunting pressure. No formal surveys have been undertaken to determine accurate population numbers, but IUCN estimates the total saola population to be less than 750, likely to be much less.
Saola are distributed in scattered locations in the Annamites, along the northwest-southeast Vietnam - Lao border. In Vietnam, the species is distributed from the Ca River in the north to Quang Nam province in the south, but its exact limits are not clearly understood.
Within this area, distribution is patchy. In Lao, there are confirmed reports of the species in the southern part of Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA (National Biodiversity Conservation Area). Reports of saola south of this area include Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Hue and Quang Nam in Vietnam and Sekong in Lao.
Breeding
The species appears to have a fixed breeding season: in Lao, births take place at the beginning of the rains, between April and June. Gestation has been estimated at about 8 months.
Habitat
Major habitat type
Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane
Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan Realm
Range States
Lao People's Democratic Republic, Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Geographical Location
Indochina
Ecological Region
Annamite Range Moist Forests
Working together to save the saola
A shrinking distribution
The saola may be a relict species, whose distribution and habitat has been reduced into the present small range by severe climactic shifts during and following the Pleistocene. The species may have been formerly distributed in wet forests at elevations below 400 m, but these areas in Vietnam are now densely populated by people, and are degraded and fragmented. In Lao, there is no wet forest at low elevation.
Current population and distribution
In Vietnam, the saola population was originally estimated at a "few hundred" individuals although this figure is now thought to be too optimistic. In 2001, the Lao population was estimated to be between 70 and 700 individuals, with current estimates favouring the lower range of this figure. There is strong indication that the saola has been experiencing a shrinking distribution for the twenty years until 1995.
Saola are distributed in scattered locations in the Annamites, along the northwest-southeast Vietnam - Lao border. In Vietnam, the species is distributed from the Ca River in the north to Quang Nam province in the south, but its exact limits are not clearly understood.
Within this area, distribution is patchy. In Lao, there are confirmed reports of the species in the southern part of Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA (National Biodiversity Conservation Area). Reports of saola south of this area include Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Hue and Quang Nam in Vietnam and Sekong in Lao.
In Vietnam, the saola population was originally estimated at a "few hundred" individuals although this figure is now thought to be too optimistic. In 2001, the Lao population was estimated to be between 70 and 700 individuals, with current estimates favouring the lower range of this figure. There is strong indication that the saola has been experiencing a shrinking distribution for the twenty years until 1995.
Saola are distributed in scattered locations in the Annamites, along the northwest-southeast Vietnam - Lao border. In Vietnam, the species is distributed from the Ca River in the north to Quang Nam province in the south, but its exact limits are not clearly understood.
Within this area, distribution is patchy. In Lao, there are confirmed reports of the species in the southern part of Nakai-Nam Theun NBCA (National Biodiversity Conservation Area). Reports of saola south of this area include Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Hue and Quang Nam in Vietnam and Sekong in Lao.
This profile has been reviewed by Barney Long, Project Manager, MOSAIC Programme, WWF-Indochina.
© William Robichaud
What are the main threats?
The main threats to the saola are hunting and fragmentation of its range through habitat loss.
Snares set in the forest for wild boar, sambar or barking deer, also trap saola. Locals set some snares for subsistence use and crop protection, but recent increases in lowland people hunting to supply the illegal trade in wildlife has led to a massive increase in hunting pressure.
In the north of their range, saola are hunted for the horns which have become prized trophies.
In the Annamites, rapid and extensive infrastructure development is underway as the government attemtps to reduce the high levels of rural poverty.
Snares set in the forest for wild boar, sambar or barking deer, also trap saola. Locals set some snares for subsistence use and crop protection, but recent increases in lowland people hunting to supply the illegal trade in wildlife has led to a massive increase in hunting pressure.
In the north of their range, saola are hunted for the horns which have become prized trophies.
In the Annamites, rapid and extensive infrastructure development is underway as the government attemtps to reduce the high levels of rural poverty.
© William Robichaud
What is WWF doing?
WWF has been involved with the protection of the species since its discovery. WWF's work to protect the saola focuses on research, community based forest management, capacity building and law enforcement strengthening.
WWF has been involved in the setting up and management of protected areas and continues to work on projects in the region:
WWF has been involved in the setting up and management of protected areas and continues to work on projects in the region:
Priority region
How you can help
Make a donation
Did you know?
- Saola have been reported to break small saplings in half by wedging them between their horns and suddenly twisting their head.
- To date, scientists have categorically documented saola in the wild on only 4 occasions.