In the footsteps of the unicorn: the search for the last saolas in Laos

The saola is called the Asian unicorn, even though it actually has two slender horns. This mysterious mammal hides in the mountain forests of Laos and Vietnam, and since its discovery it has been documented in the wild only a handful of times. Today the saola is one of the most endangered species in the world, and scientists and conservation organizations are making efforts to protect it from extinction.

Saola – a discovery that surprised the scientific world

The saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) was described only in 1992, when researchers from the Museum of Natural History in Hanoi came across unusual horns in a village in Laos. It soon turned out that they belonged to a completely unknown species of large ungulate from the bovine family.

This was one of the most important zoological discoveries of the 20th century – it is rare for such a large animal, previously unknown to science, to be documented so late. The saola immediately entered the endangered species list, and in 2006 the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reclassified it as critically endangered.

The last traces in Laos and Vietnam

Since its discovery, scientists have had extremely few opportunities to observe the saola in the wild. There are only a handful of camera trap photos – for example from 1999 in Laos and from 2013 in Vietnam’s Bolikhamxay province. At the Zoological Museum in Copenhagen one can see the skin, horns, and fragments of the skull of one specimen.

According to WWF, the last reliable sightings came from Vietnamese reserves in Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam provinces, where biodiversity monitoring was carried out. In Laos, tracking conditions are even more difficult – vast forests and limited infrastructure hinder systematic research, and the saola persistently avoids contact with humans.

Threats and causes of the dramatic decline in numbers

The most serious threat to the saola is poaching. Although it is not itself a hunting target, it often gets caught in snares set for other species, such as deer or wild boar. Such traps are widespread throughout the region and pose a deadly danger to local wildlife.

In addition, the Annamite forests are disappearing rapidly due to deforestation, road construction, and agricultural expansion. Habitat fragmentation means that individual populations are increasingly isolated and cannot freely exchange genes. The Asian unicorn is becoming ever more threatened with extinction.

Hope in conservation and local initiatives

Despite the extremely difficult situation, the saola is not yet a lost species. WWF and other organizations support the creation of new reserves in Vietnam to provide the last populations with at least partial safety. In 2011, special protection areas for saolas and other rare mammals were established in Quang Nam province.

At the same time, training is being provided for national park rangers and local communities are being educated to reduce the use of snares. International discussions are also ongoing about launching a conservation breeding program in ex-situ centers, although so far no individual has survived in captivity long enough for this to succeed. Researchers stress that success will only be possible if habitat protection is combined with the active involvement of local residents.

The search for the Asian unicorn

It is estimated that only a few dozen to a few hundred saolas may have survived in the wild, which is why every sign of their presence arouses great excitement. Researchers set camera traps in hard-to-reach valleys, and try to collect genetic material even from droppings or hair. They are helped by villagers, who sometimes come across characteristic tracks.

Searches conducted in the Annamite mountains are slow and require weeks-long treks through dense forests. Every trace of the saola gives scientists hope, but at the same time reminds them how close to extinction this species is – one about which we still know so very little.

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main photo credit: Thu Le/Flickr