The Saola Foundation

The Saola Foundation is a U.S.-registered non-profit organization dedicated to saving the saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) from extinction and conserving biodiversity in the Annamite Mountains of Laos and Vietnam. Founded in 2017, it is the only charity in the world solely focused on saola conservation.

Background on the Saola

The saola, also known as “Asia’s unicorn”, was first discovered by science in 1992 and is considered one of the rarest large mammals in the world. It is endemic to the Annamite Mountains and is critically endangered, with likely fewer than 100 individuals remaining in the wild.

Mission and activities

The Saola Foundation’s mission is to make a significant contribution to the conservation of the saola and its habitat in the Annamite Mountains. The organization’s core activities include:

Research and monitoring – Establishing a Laos-led research and monitoring team in the Annamites to locate the remaining saola individuals in the wild.

Habitat protection – Collaborating with local authorities and communities to protect and restore the natural habitat of the saola.

Capacity building – Strengthening local skills and resources for the long-term conservation of biodiversity in the region.

Collaboration and partnerships – The Saola Foundation works closely with various partners, including the Saola Working Group, established in 2006 under the IUCN Species Survival Commission, to coordinate efforts to prevent the extinction of the saola.

Givskud Zoo Nature Foundation – The foundation supports efforts to search for saolas in the remote forests of the Annamite Mountains. A team of trackers, detection dogs, and geneticists searches the forest for signs or droppings from the elusive animal. They can determine on-site whether droppings are from a saola or another species.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saolafoundation

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