They look like an antelope, but they’re more closely related to cows. Well, I say look, but these critically endangered animals are incredibly rare. Scientists have only documented wild Saola 4 times and none are in captivity. This means we don’t know much about them including their population. Could be a few hundred or a few dozen, but we really have no idea.
They’re found in the Vietnam/Laos region and were discovered in 1992. They’re actually the first large mammal to be found in 50 years. Although, they didn’t find a live one. It was a strange skull in a hunter’s home. This skull had two parallel horns that grew about 20 inches and ended in points. It has been discovered that males and females both have these. They have glands around their muzzle for marking territory too.
That’s really it for the interesting stuff. Most information was gathered from the few Saola that were captured, but they died anywhere from weeks to months. I couldn’t find any information on why or how they were captured. All other information is from photographs with the most recent one being from 2013 when a Saola went by a motion sensor camera. Makes this animal a major mystery.
Not a mystery enough for hunting and illegal fur trade to happen. Those are the biggest threats to the Saola. Keep in mind that they live in a small region of Vietnam and Laos, so they can’t be a big population to begin with. Specifically, they are only found in the Annamite Range. Habitat loss is another problem. It doesn’t help that scientists and conservationists can’t find them alive in the wild. Seems the hunters have better luck because they set traps for other animals like wild boar and muntjac.
For a little more information click HERE
Let’s see if we can get any pictures and videos.
Google Image Search
Google Image Search
Google Image Search (Not sure if captured and released or poached.)
Google Image Search
Legends of Windemere 
I love that the world still has something to show us. Don’t like that we always have to destroy it.
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There’s always some group on the rampage. If it isn’t on purpose, we seem to destroy things by accident.
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Prayers that they survive. Why do people want to destroy rare things?
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I don’t think most people are intentionally going after them. Seems the locals set traps to catch animals for food and the saola gets caught. Since they’re so rare, it’s hard to know their full range, population, and habits.
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Thanks for this info!
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Thanks for sharing.
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You’re welcome 😃
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Thanks, Charles. Another fascinating animal to keep an eye out for.
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You’re welcome.
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😊
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for introducing to another rare animal, we have to keep care for, Charles. Have a beautiful week! xx Michael
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You’re welcome. Enjoy your week too.
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Pingback: *Press This* Saola: The Asian Unicorn #253 | Its good to be crazy Sometimes
I have heard of the Saola, and I did know it was endangered, but being that close is insane. I am part of thesuperpride, which is a WordPress website that lists endangered animals and encourages people to care about them, I learned that there are not that many posts, so thank you for caring! 😉
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You’re welcome. Glad you got something out of the post, especially since it’s an old one.
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