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Saola Tracks, May 8, 2024: News from the field, a special appeal, and a new way to join the search!

Dear Friends of Saola and the Annamite Mountains,

News from the Field – The Race is on to Find Saola

Our Annual Report 2023 can be downloaded here. In addition, we have a 5-minute video version, viewable here – Enjoy!  

In 2024 to date, our Annamite Mountains Research and Conservation Team have kicked the search for Saola into top gear.  The combined efforts of our human and canine trackers are demonstrating an incredible ability to find ungulate dung— collecting more than 900 samples this year already (adding to the 1500 collected in 2023). Hundreds of these have undergone testing, with more to go. At this level of effort, if Saola is out there we believe we will find it!  


Vatsana with the Saola Foundation scent detection dogs, Norman (left) and Bertie (right).

Congratulations to Vatsana Chanthavong, our Scent Detection Dog Team Leader, for being awarded a place in the Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP) Women in Conservation Visible Leadership Programme! Thank you ASAP for championing women in conservation.  

A Special Appeal and a New Way to Join the Search 

We are in a race against time to find Saola. At this time of great progress, we need your help more than ever to keep our team in the field. There are a number of ways you can support our program. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us towards our mission to find and save Saola.

  • Introducing ‘Pay for a Day’ 

Embark on an extraordinary journey with us through our Pay for a Day Campaign! For just US$1,000, you can sponsor a full day of our Saola search, supporting an elite scent detection dog and wildlife tracking team as they search the Annamite Mountains for Saola. By sponsoring a day or more, you’re contributing to vital Annamite Mountains conservation efforts, and you will receive exclusive perks and benefits as a token of our appreciation.  

Click here to find out more about Pay for a Day

Spaces for sponsorship are limited, with current bookings available from August 1st, 2024, to July 31st, 2025. Don’t miss out— secure your spot today via our website.    

  • Become a Monthly Donor 

For as little as US$30 per month, you can play a vital role in supporting our dedicated team on the ground. Your monthly contribution will support essential field supplies (e.g. food and first aid) and support the salaries of our incredible Lao team. This is a simple yet powerful way to make a tangible difference in the fight to save Saola. To become a monthly donor and join us in our conservation journey, visit our website or reach out to us directly at info@saolafoundation.org. Your generosity will directly impact the lives of our team members and contribute to the broader mission of biodiversity conservation in the Annamite Mountains. 

  • Equipment Donation 

You can target your contributions to support critical field equipment, such as resupplies of DNA testing equipment that allows us to test dung samples for Saola DNA, or camera traps to help with our monitoring efforts. If you are interested in making a contribution in this way, please reach out at info@saolafoundation.org.  


Nashville Zoo supported us by donating this truck!

  • Annamite Mountains Conservation Movement
There are numerous ways to support the Saola Foundation beyond donations. Engage with our social media, share our content, and spread awareness among your network. Your involvement strengthens our community and helps protect endangered species and important Annamite Mountains habitats. You can find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Expressing our Gratitude for Major Donations in 2024  

A special welcome to Working Dogs for Conservation with support from the Seadream Foundation as our newest Saola Gold Partner for their incredible co-funding support of US$135,000 in 2023 for our Scent Detection Dog Team.   

Gold Partners contribute at least US$50,000 within an annual period. You can read more about the benefits of becoming a partner here. These partnerships represent our most committed and valued supporters, and we are so grateful for the work that they make possible. If you are interested in joining the Gold Circle, please reach out to us at info@saolafoundation.org  

We extend our deepest gratitude to all of our generous donors and supporters. In particular, we want to acknowledge the following individuals for their substantial contributions since the beginning of this year: 

Keep tuned,

– The Saola Foundation Team

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