Saola Working Group

The Saola Working Group (SWG) is a working group under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) that brings together the most experienced conservationists and biologists in Southeast Asia. This group was formed in 2006 to save the critically endangered ungulate saola from extinction. The Saola Working Group also seeks to protect the entire Annamite Mountain Range on the Laos-Vietnam border, the only place in the world where the saola lives.

Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis)

Saola is an almost mystical animal that is often called the Asian unicorn. It lives only in the wild, it is not kept in any zoo in the world. Most of the information comes from residents, no naturalist has managed to see a live saola in the wild. It was possible to photograph it only a few times.

Saola was described in 1992 in central Vietnam based on skeletal remains and skins. In the 20th century, it was one of the most amazing zoological discoveries. Among wild animals, the discovery of the okapi in central Africa was similarly fascinating. The two species are similar in many ways: in both cases, it is a very distinctive-looking ungulate living a solitary lifestyle in deep tropical forests that the outside world has only recently learned about. However, the saola was discovered nearly a hundred years later than the okapi and is much more endangered. It lives only in a small area in the Annamite Mountains on the border of Vietnam and Laos. Due to its hidden way of life and the lack of investment in its protection, the size of its population is currently unknown. Only estimates remain, speaking of several tens to hundreds of individuals. The saola is thus one of the most endangered mammals in the world.

Threats to saola

Saola is classified as "critically endangered" according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. So, it is only a step away from complete extinction. The biggest threat to saola is traps designed to catch animals for traditional Chinese medicine. It is less threatened by hunting for the meat trade (so-called bushmeat). Paradoxically, saola itself has never been a target species for traditional Chinese medicine. It probably never occurred in China, so fortunately it doesn't even appear in traditional medical literature. This gives hope for its rescue. Saola is not a key animal targeted by poachers, so there is a real chance to save it, but we need to act fast. Another threat is the loss of its natural habitat.

SWG activities

The greatest priority of current conservation activities is the reduction of traps and illegal hunting in areas where the saola is also found. If hunting rates can be reduced, the species' prospects for survival will improve significantly. Since 2011, the team of rangers has managed to destroy more than 150,000 wire mesh traps in the areas of the saola's natural habitat. The incidence of these traps has decreased dramatically since rangers began operating in the area. However, much work is still needed before poaching in the area can be sufficiently reduced.

The SWG adopted the "One Plan Approach" to save saola and thus took on the task of coordinating the conservation of saola both in situ (in its natural habitat) and through the establishment of a viable population under human care. The establishment of such a population under human care is another essential goal of the SWG, since, despite all the efforts of conservationists, there is a great risk that the saola will become extinct in the wild. Another part of this plan is the establishment of a new breeding centre for these animals in Bach Ma National Park in central Vietnam.

SWG activities bring together scientists, residents, government officials, and conservation organizations to save this remarkable animal. This involves, for example, the involvement of local residents in the protection of the saola or the training of officials responsible for nature protection so that they help minimize the greatest threats.

You can learn more at www.savethesaola.org.

How Ostrava Zoo helps

In 2013, a visitor and educational centre with a restaurant was opened at the Ostrava Zoo, which was named after this mysterious and very rare animal. As far as we know, it is the only such named centre in the world. Since 2017, the Ostrava Zoo, together with all its visitors, has supported efforts to save the saola through the "3 CZK for Wildlife" program.