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Saola Conservation Partnership GWC is in a partnership with the IUCN/SSC Saola Working Group (SWG) to promote research and action for the conservation of the Critically Endangered Saola. This unique partnership is highlighted on the SWG's website.
The SWG coordinates the Saola conservation activities of scientists and conservationists from the Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund, IUCN Lao PDR Programme, the Smithsonian Institution, White Oaks Conservation, and Global Wildlife Conservation. The Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), discovered in 1992, is Critically Endangered and one of the world's rarest mammals. It is a member of the group of mammals that includes bison, buffalo, and wild cattle. Due to its highly elusive nature and remote habitat, very little information about the species has been revealed since its discovery. Saola inhabit the dense evergreen forests of the Annamite Mountains in Vietnam and Lao PDR (Lao Peoples' Democratic Republic). Although no accurate population estimates have been made, experts speculate that the total global population is at most in the low hundreds. The species faces numerous threats in the wild, with the principle threat being hunting using snares and dogs. Please donate to the Saola Conservation Partnership of Global Wildlife Conservation. All donations are managed in partnership with the SWG and are directed towards on-the-ground conservation of Saola and their habitat.
Saola Overview Common Name Saola Scientific Name Pseudoryx nghetinhensis Conservation Status Critically Endangered Range States Lao PDR and Vietnam Habitat Indo-Malayan biogeographic realm Saola are found in evergreen forests in the Annamite Mountains of Lao PDR and Vietnam, and are known from elevations between 400 and 750m. Population Unknown. Expert estimates range from only tens to low hundreds of individuals. Background The Saola was discovered by scientists in 1992, the first large mammal described since the 1930s. The species remains almost as elusive today as it was more than a decade ago. A unique species, millions of years separated from its closest relative, and one of the most charismatic and mysterious species on the planet. Though there is little information available on Saola, there is no doubt that the species existence is severely threatened. The populations have rapidly declined in the face of accelerating hunting pressure, although the actual size of the remaining population is only estimated. Physical Description Saola are restricted to isolated fragments of montane evergreen forests of the Annamite Mountains. Both males and female saola have horns that are probably used for protection against predators. The common name, saola, means "spinning wheel posts" in the local language. This name was probably given to the species because of the way the horns resemble tapered posts of a spinning wheel. The Saola body length is 150 cm, with weight between 80–100 kg. An adult female measured 84 cm tall at hte shoulder. Their size may be sexually dimorphic, as in many other bovids. These animals have brown noses. The pelage consists of different shades of brown. Some have white patches on the side of neck. A black stripe extends from the shoulders to the lower back. The underside of is a lighter shade of brown than the upper body. The tail is striped, with brown, black, and cream colors. The rump is marked by a cream colored band which extends horizontally from the top of one hind leg to the other. White bands encircle the lower leg, just above the hooves. The face has white patches that conceal small dermal nodules that may be scent glands. Saola have possibly the largest maxillary glands of any living mammal. Although there are currently no studies on saola behavior in the wild, observations have been made on captive saola. These animals seem to be active both at night and during the day, although some familiar with saola report that wild iondividuals are mostly active in the morning and late afternoon. Soala appear to be solitary animals. They also seem to engage in territorial marking by snapping small saplings with their horns. Since their horns have many scratches, it is suggested that they rub vegetation and soil as a part of social or sexual activity. The putative scent glands on the face of saloa may indicate some scent marking of territories. Saola in captivity have been observed bleating for unknown reasons. Some researchers suggest that twig breaking with horns may be a form of social and/or sexual communication. They also possess scent glands under the white markings on their faces, indicating the importance of chemical communication in this species. Although not specifically reported, we can infer that tactile communication is important during mating and rearing of young. Because these animals might have some activity during daylight hours, there may also be visual communication between individuals based on body postures and other visual signals. To find out more information on Asia's wild cattle and buffalo, please see the website of the IUCN/SCC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group.
Further Reading Charler, J. B. & Rabinowitz, A. 1994. Pseudoryx nghetinhensis. WCS, Vientiane, Laos. Henshaw, J. 1997. Status of saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis. Oryx 31:89-91. Kemp, N., Dilger, M., Burgess, N. & Chu Van Dung. 1997. The saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis in Vietnam – new information on distribution and habitat preferences, and conservation needs. Oryx 31:37-44. Robichaud, W.G. 1999. Saola Conservation Action Plan for Lao PDR - June 1999. Wildlife Conservation Society and IUCN. Schaller, G.B. and Rabinowitz, A. 1995. The saola or spindlehorn bovid Pseudoryx nghetinhensis in Laos. Oryx 29:107–113. Stone, R. 2006. The Saola’s last stand. Science 314:1380–1383. Stone, R. 2009. Last Chance to Save the ‘Panda of Indochina’. Science 325:1192–1193. Vu Van Dung, Pham Mong Giao, Nguyen Nghia Chinh, Do Tuoc, Arctander, P. & MacKinnon, J. 1993. A new species of living bovid from Vietnam. Nature 363:443-445. Vu Van Dung, Pham Mong Giao, Nguyen Nghia Chinh, Do Tuoc, & MacKinnon, J. 1994. Discovery and conservation of the Vu Quang ox in Vietnam. Oryx 28:16-21. Vu Van Dung, Nguyen Ngoc Chinh, Ebreggt, A., & Santiapillai, C. 1995. The status of the newly discovered large mammal, the long-horned bovid, in Vietnam. TigerPaper 22:13-19. |
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