Welcome to our first Saola Foundation newsletter of 2026!
As we begin a new year, we want to share a brief update from the field and thank you for all your support and being part of this journey with us.
While 2025 did not yield a confirmed Saola detection, the results from our pilot survey area in the Nam Chouan – Nam Xang area continue to give us hope.
In 2025, Saola search activities were conducted across three major field periods (May – July, September and November – December), covering 57 one-square-kilometre survey units. Of these, 46 units achieved greater than 20% systematic coverage, with a total of 3,584 hectares surveyed overall.
Although none of the 261 dung samples the team collected tested positive for Saola DNA (from 2,008 ungulate dung piles recorded), several strong surrogate indicators make us confident that if Saolas are present in the area, our survey design and intensity are sufficient to detect them.
Detection rates of other species of interest were generally high:
Muntjac: detected in 91% of surveyed units with more than 20% coverage
Western Serow: in 85%
Sambar: in 26%
Indochinese Grey Leaf Monkey: in 50%
Red-shanked Douc: in 28%
These high detection rates, particularly for ungulates, suggest that densities of some species are close to natural levels. Of particular interest the survey area appears to hold a globally significant population of Indochinese Grey Leaf Monkey.
Encouragingly, threat incidence across the landscape remained low. Evidence of hunting was detected in only 16 – 17% of survey units, and snares, one of the most serious threats, were found only once in 2025.
More detailed information about our work will be shared in our 2025 Annual Report, which will be released later this year. We look forward to sharing that with you soon.
Tracker Training in Thailand
The Saola Foundation team with Danni Larsen, Bjarne Klausen, and Sandie Munk from Odense Zoo (top left, second from left), and Jonathan Shapiro representing CyberTracker Conservation (top right, second from left), seated at the headquarters of Khao Yai National Park, Thailand.
Last October, eighteen members of the Saola Foundation Annamite Mountains Research and Conservation Team participated in a 10-day intensive animal tracks and signs training at Khao Yai National Park, Thailand, made possible thanks to the support of the Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP). Building on the success of our 2024 pilot Study Tour, the program strengthened our capacity to detect and conserve the Critically Endangered Saola and other threatened species across the Annamite Mountains Bioregion.
The training brought together our six apprentice Lao animal trackers, the two field team leaders, four technical field assistants, the logistics unit leader, and a graduate intern from the National University of Lao. It was led by Jonathan Shapiro representing CyberTracker Conservation, with support from Rob Timmins (Saola Foundation Technical Director) and the field team leaders Phonesouk Chanthalavong and Vilayvone Sengmany. While focused on the apprentice trackers, the broader field team also participated, ensuring every member is equipped with advanced skills.
Khao Yai National Park’s long-term protection and high wildlife densities made it an ideal training ground. In just 10 days, the team observed abundant tracks and signs of elephants, Sambar, muntjac, chevrotain, Dhole, Golden Jackal, civets, porcupine, bear, Mainland Leopard Cat, macaques, squirrels, monitor lizards, and many other species. All are found in the Annamite Mountains Bioregion, making the training directly relevant to conserving this important and fragile ecosystem.
Northern Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca leonina
Each day began in the early-morning, during a peak of animal activity, searching primarily for large mammal signs, that the team could then work together to interpret, building critical observation skills. Night safaris and dawn observations allowed the team to link observed animal behavior with tracks and dung, reinforcing the scientific discipline of separating observation from interpretation – a core principle in the Saola Foundation approach. The team also made plaster casts, detailed sketches, and transparency tracings of tracks for instructional resources.
(Top Left) The Saola Foundation team looking at different animal footprint casts. (Top Right) The Saola Foundation team measuring step lengths (using arm and hand as a ruler) of a track pattern. (Bottom) Transparency tracking of a small carnivore – perhaps a Mainland Leopard Cat [Prionailurus bengalensis] or civet.
A highlight was a mock CyberTracker evaluation, introducing participants to internationally recognized tracking assessments. Group discussions often led to revising interpretations based on new evidence, modeling scientific reasoning and collaborative problem-solving.
Demonstrating the gait, the sequence of individual leg movements, of an animal.
Beyond training, valuable data on the track characteristics of large mammal species were collected, contributing to the growing knowledge base of Southeast Asian wildlife. Interactions with Khao Yai National Park staff and representatives from Odense Zoo, a valued Saola Foundation donor, reinforced the global collaboration supporting our mission.
This study tour was a highly successful investment in building the scientific rigor, observational skill, and field confidence of our team. Strengthening the Saola Foundation team directly advances our mission to protect and conserve the Saola and the rich biodiversity of the Annamite Mountains Bioregion for uncountable generations to come, and to invest in the future national conservation leaders, champions and other human resources to make it happen.
The Saola Foundation team alongside Jonathan Shapiro and the management and conservation staff of Khao Yai National Park after a successful meeting featuring organisational presentations and an engaging Q&A discussion.
Warm regards,
The Saola Foundation Team
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