saola

The saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) is a critically endangered bovine species native to the Annamite Mountains of Laos and Vietnam. It was first described to science in 1992 by a Vietnamese–Laotian research team with support from the World Wildlife Fund. The name saola comes from the Vietnamese word for “spirit of the forest,” reflecting its rarity and elusiveness.

Geographic range and habitat: Saola inhabit dense, undisturbed tropical evergreen forests in the Annamites, at mid elevations. They are adapted to rugged terrain and thick vegetation, where visibility is low and cover is extensive.

Description: Saola is a medium-sized, forest-dwelling ungulate with a slender body and long legs. It is notable for distinctive long, straight horns and white facial markings. Adults are rarely observed in the wild, and much of its biology remains poorly understood.

Ecology and behavior: Very little is known about its social structure, breeding, or daily activity. Saola are considered reclusive and elusive, with observations largely limited to camera traps and occasional sightings. They are believed to be browsers, feeding on leaves, shoots, fruits, and other vegetation.

Conservation status: The saola is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Major threats include habitat loss and fragmentation from logging and agricultural expansion, along with hunting and snares set for other wildlife. Conservation efforts focus on protecting forest habitat, reducing poaching, and conducting field surveys and monitoring to improve knowledge of the population and its needs.