The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in coordinated with the Forest Ranger Sub-Department of the central province of Thua Thien Hue recently held a seminar on measures to reserve Sao La, a rare antelope.
The seminar, which was held from April 25-27, was aimed at completing a plan of action on reservation of Sao La, a mysterious twin-horned creature, building strategies for natural reserves for Sao La and implementing law at natural reserves.
The Sao La (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), a relative of antelopes and cattle and one of the world's rarest animals, was discovered in 1992 in Vu Quang forest in the central province of Ha Tinh by a joint team of WWF and Vietnam Department of Forestry members who were conducting a survey.
Later, scientists found traces and took images of Sao La in Thua Thien Hue in January 1998.
Experts say only a dozen to several hundred of Sao La exist in Vietnam .
They are threatened by illegal hunting for its horns. None have survived in captivity.
In response to the alarming status of the species in the wild, WWF Vietnam has worked with local authorities and agencies to promote the establishment of the Sao La Nature Reserve in Quang Nam and the Sao La Nature Reserve in Thua Thien Hue province, and to extend Bach Ma National Park./.
The seminar, which was held from April 25-27, was aimed at completing a plan of action on reservation of Sao La, a mysterious twin-horned creature, building strategies for natural reserves for Sao La and implementing law at natural reserves.
The Sao La (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), a relative of antelopes and cattle and one of the world's rarest animals, was discovered in 1992 in Vu Quang forest in the central province of Ha Tinh by a joint team of WWF and Vietnam Department of Forestry members who were conducting a survey.
Later, scientists found traces and took images of Sao La in Thua Thien Hue in January 1998.
Experts say only a dozen to several hundred of Sao La exist in Vietnam .
They are threatened by illegal hunting for its horns. None have survived in captivity.
In response to the alarming status of the species in the wild, WWF Vietnam has worked with local authorities and agencies to promote the establishment of the Sao La Nature Reserve in Quang Nam and the Sao La Nature Reserve in Thua Thien Hue province, and to extend Bach Ma National Park./.
