On this special day we are thrilled to take you on a journey deep into the tropical forest with our field team, where we believe Saola still roam. This short film, created by our award winning Media Lead Souksamlan Laladeth, offers a powerful and beautifully shot introduction to the Saola Foundation and our flagship mission to find and save the Saola in the wild. From ground-breaking field techniques to meaningful collaboration with local communities, the video captures the heart of our conservation work. We hope it inspires you as much as it inspires us. Watch now and share with your friends to help us spread the word: https://youtu.be/tO4BcXeHnkQ
Why World Saola Day Matters
World Saola Day, celebrated on July 9th, shines a spotlight on one of the world’s rarest and most mysterious animals, the Saola, often called the “Asian unicorn.” Discovered only in 1992 and critically endangered, the Saola is a symbol of both the rich biodiversity and the urgent conservation challenges in the Annamite Mountains. With possibly fewer than 100 individuals left in the wild and none in captivity, this elusive species faces imminent extinction due to habitat loss and poaching. World Saola Day raises awareness of the Saola’s plight and serves as a powerful reminder of the urgent need to find and save this unique animal. It also highlights the importance of protecting the fragile ecosystems of the Annamite Mountains the Saola calls home, habitats that support countless other endangered and endemic species.
Voices from the Annamites: Field Team Q&A
In recognition of World Saola Day, we sat down with Chanthasone Phommachanh, Lao Programs Director, and Vilayvone Sengmany, Deputy Technical Team Leader, to hear directly from the Lao team about our work in the Annamite Mountains and how we are making a real impact on the ground.
From field surveys and detection dog teams to collaborating with global partners, Chanthasone and Vilayvone share our scientific approach, passion and hope to save the elusive Saola from extinction.
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