One reason the Saola is important is because they are prey to animals like tigers and Dholes, and that’s important because if the Saola go, then some of the Saola’s predators might go, starve, or have one less thing to eat. Another reason why they are important: Some people of Laos and Vietnam depend on them for meat.
Why is the saola so special?
This video is unavailable. An error occurred while retrieving sharing information. Please try again later. With its unusually long horns and white markings on the face, the saola is a strong symbol for biodiversity in Lao and Vietnam. Saola are often caught in snares set in the forest for wild boar, sambar or muntjac deer.
Aversion to human proximity – this is one of the major keys for Saola populations as they like remoteness from human disturbance. Hunters are held in high regards in villages when producing a carcass. Being traditional people, attitudes are very hard to change.
Where can saola be found?
Saola have striking white markings on the face and large maxillary glands on the muzzle, which could be used to mark territory or attract mates. They are found only in the Annamite Mountains of Vietnam and Laos. Forests are very important to us, and to many different species.
Why is saola endangered?
Saola is threatened primarily by hunting, rather than habitat loss. The main hunting threat comes from commercial poaching, not subsistence hunting by local people. In Southeast Asia, most endangered species of wildlife are threatened by targeted offtake for the wildlife trade, either for bushmeat or traditional Asian medicine.
What is the value of saola?
A Saola has little cash value, the species is not an important source of meat, and it is not a crop pest (and so there are no human-wildlife conflict issues around Saola). It is also not found anywhere else in the world, so it has shown to have ‘pride’ value among local people.
With its unusually long horns and white markings on the face, the saola is a strong symbol for biodiversity in Lao and Vietnam. Saola are often caught in snares set in the forest for wild boar, sambar or muntjac deer.
How do saola get caught?
Saola are often caught in snares set in the forest for wild boar, sambar or muntjac deer. Local villagers set some snares for subsistence use and crop protection.