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The Saola: Asia's Unicorn
Hailing from around the world, the Unicorn has made an appearance in ancient paintings, carvings, statues and literature. These creatures are rare, often depicted as a hooved animal, with horse or deer-like qualities. They are benevolent creatures, providing mystical medicines from their long singular horn or leaving luck in their wake. Logically, these majestic beasts could never exist. They have often been mistaken by deformed ungulate horns, giraffes and even narwhals. Yet, the cryptic creatures of mythology have lived on, even into the 21st century with an explosion of unicorn themed drinks and trendy foods.
There is, however, one species that is known to be called a unicorn. A species just as mysterious and ephemeral as that of the one horned beauty. Discovered in 1992, the Pseudoryx nghetinhensis, also known as the Saola, is Asia's unicorn. This species is listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list.
There is, however, one species that is known to be called a unicorn. A species just as mysterious and ephemeral as that of the one horned beauty. Discovered in 1992, the Pseudoryx nghetinhensis, also known as the Saola, is Asia's unicorn. This species is listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list.
The saola's distinct white eyebrows and spotted jawline stand out boldly against its rich liver brown hair. They have a rather large forehead that narrows down to a small deer-like nose. Tapered Horns emerge from between its oval shaped ears. These are found in both male and females, presumably for defense as they are sharp accessories.
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Oddly enough, while the saola possess characteristics found in oryx (antelope) species, such as their long tapered horns and bold face markings, are categorized into the bovine family. These creatures grow to about 3 feet in height and 5 feet in length, though some have been seen to be larger. Maxillary glands located in tandem with the white markings on their faces and along their legs leave a musty scent on vegetation as they forage through wet evergreen forests that they call their home. The saola's extreme distinction in its characteristics and habitat have lead scientists to create a new genus specifically for them. Pseudoryx nghetinhensis.
As previously mentioned, the saola thrives in wet evergreen forests, specifically those found on the lower Annamite Mountains in Vietnam and Laos. It was previously thought that the saola occupied an area of 5,000 to 15,000 km²(averages out to 1.3-4.7mil acres), however, because the numbers of the saola are so few, most of their range is not inhabted. In 2001, it was estimated that around 700-750 occupied Laos and another several hundred in Vietnam.
click for full image @International Union for Conservation of Nature
However, more recent studies around 2004 have suggested that population has decreased dramatically to only 250 mature individuals. On the other hand, because the saola's natural habitat is extremely dense and rugged, there has been no accurate calculation of the species population number. Still, the rarity of the animal sightings is a testament to its low numbers. Most sightings have been from locals, or from saola who have been found suffocated in poacher snares. One of the first images from a camera trap were caught in a mineral spring in Pu Mat National Park, Vietnam (Whitfield 1998). In the following years there were a couple in Bolikhamxay Province, Laos (Robichaud 1999) and more recently in Hue-Quang Nam, Vietnam (Hance 2013).
The IUCN classifies the Saola as critically endangered and for a good reason. While they are not specifically targeted, the saola often finds itself caught in snares meant for other exotic animals. In addition, habitat destruction is a large factor in the saola's diminishing numbers. As construction through the Annamite Mountains increases, the saola's natural habitat goes through whats called "habitat fragmentation". Habitat fragmentation makes it incredibly easy for these creatures to be cut off from each other, further limiting their already low breeding rates. This also increases human foot traffic, allowing easier access for hunters to install snares in areas they might not have had access to before.
(top) camera trap 1998 Vietnam @WWF (bottom) camera trap 1999 central Laos @Working Saola Group
What's being done about the saola's declining population? While there have been attempted breeding programs, the saola has been known to die within several months of captivity. Still, it is a possibility. More effectively, land has been labeled Nationally protected, the majority of it being in Vietnam, research programs are underway, providing scientists with more information about the species, and groups, such as the Saola Working Group, have come together to raise money for research and to further educate the public about one of the rarest animals on earth.
Pseudoryx nghetinhensis . (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2018, from http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/18597/0
Saola Rediscovered: Rare Photos of Elusive Species from Vietnam. (2013, November 12). Retrieved February 28, 2018, from https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/saola-rediscovered-rare-photos-of-elusive-species-from-vietnam
Saola (n.d.). Retrieved February 28, 2018, from https://www.savethesaola.org/
