Saola
ENDANGERED
CRITICALLY
100-750
left in the wild
Height : 59 - 83cm
Weight : 79 - 99 kg
Habitat : Greater Mekong
The saola is one of the rarest large animals on the planet being discovered in May 1992. The saola is rarely seen, only found in Laos and Vietnam, making the saola an enigma. None exist in captivity so not much is known about this critically endangered mammal. Both males and females can be identified by their 2 parallel horns with sharp ends that can reach up to 20 inches in length. Saolas have striking white markings on their face and large maxillary glands on the muzzle which could be used to mark territory or attract mates. Due to the saolas elusive nature and with none of them in captivity, the saola may be the worlds most endangered land mammal. They are already critically endangered with no way to know how many exactly are left. They have a high degree of becoming extinct with the threats they face.
THREATS
Poaching
The main threats to the saola are hunting and habitat loss. Snares set in the forests intended for wild boar, deer and sambar trap the saola and with hunting demand increasing in lowland people there are more traps being set. These mammals are facing a higher risk of being hunted particularly in the north of the region where they are hunted for their horns which have become prized trophies.
Human Impact
Humans are the biggest threat to the saola, through the hunting, poaching and deforestation that they pose on the species. The saola have lost so much habitat that they have been forced higher and higher up the mountains in a smaller space where they are more susceptible to snares and human hunting activity.
Loss of Habitat
As human population expands and grows so does the space that humans need. This leads to more agriculture, settlements and roads being built which in turn takes away the space from other mammals leaving less room for free roam. The added pressure from rapid and large scale infrastructure in the region is also fragmenting saola habitat.
Deforestation
With the saola only being discovered 2 decades ago, much of the forest that they live has already been cut down for agriculture reasons. They have been squeezed into smaller spaces but the forests are continually being destroyed today.
Did You Know?
The saola have earned the title of the 'asian unicorn' due to their elusive nature
Scientific Name : Pseudoryx Nghetinhensis
Life Span : 8 - 11 years
Diet : Herbivorous (Leaves, Shoots, etc.)
Predators : Humans & Tigers
Gestation : 243 days
