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Saola is a rare beast
In 1993, the world was once again convinced that nature did not reveal all its maps. At the end of the twentieth century, zoologists discovered a new species! Moreover, scientists have found not some small animal that will not fit on the palm, but rather a large representative of the subfamily of bulls. Meet the Saola (Latin Pseudoryx nghetinhensis). And how did she manage to hide from prying eyes for so long?
The fact is that the Saola is a shy animal, which is launched at the slightest sign of danger. It lives in the impenetrable rainforests of Vietnam and Laos, rising to an altitude of 300 to 1800 meters above sea level. Of course, hunters from the local tribes are well acquainted with the Saola, but for a long time their trophies and stories no one paid attention.
That all changed in 1992. A group of biologists who were surveying the forests of Vietnam, came across the skull of an unknown animal. At first glance, it was clear that this mysterious creature is different from other known species. Soon the scientists’ guess was confirmed by the examination. It was a sensation! An unknown large mammal is just waiting for its discoverer! Who would get the honor?
The following year, groups of researchers went to the jungles of Vietnam, who wanted to see the Saola with their own eyes. With the help of locals, they discovered three pairs of mysterious mammals and made the first description of a new species. In total, during the year, zoologists discovered 20 pairs of animals. However, the lifestyle of the Saola could not be observed - it was very agile.
But scientists were able to describe it in detail. The length of the body of the saola reaches 1.8 m, the height in the shoulders is 0.9 m, the maximum weight is 100 kg. The coat is dark brown in color, above each of the four hooves there is a small white spot. The face of the animal is decorated with an individual white pattern. The length of the horns of the Saola directed back is 50 cm. They themselves are subtle and straight.
Saola is active during daylight hours. Moves alone or in pairs. It is kept near water sources, where it feeds on juicy grass. Its range is extremely small – a total of 8,000 square kilometers located on the border between Laos and Vietnam. However, only here you can see the saola, because no zoo in the world can show it to its visitors. Only a few times managed to catch shy representatives of the species, and all these cases ended in deplorable: Saola dies in captivity within two to three weeks.
Unfortunately, the number of species is critical - less than a hundred individuals. Vietnam is doing everything possible to preserve it. In particular, the habitat of the Saola is declared a reserve, where hunting for cloven-hoofed animals is prohibited. However, it is not yet possible to completely get rid of poachers, but environmentalists have already destroyed 30,000 illegally placed snares.
But even such protection bears fruit: more recently, scientists managed to get rare photos of the Saola, which means that this rare beast still lives in the forests of Vietnam.
Source: zoopicture.ru
The fact is that the Saola is a shy animal, which is launched at the slightest sign of danger. It lives in the impenetrable rainforests of Vietnam and Laos, rising to an altitude of 300 to 1800 meters above sea level. Of course, hunters from the local tribes are well acquainted with the Saola, but for a long time their trophies and stories no one paid attention.
That all changed in 1992. A group of biologists who were surveying the forests of Vietnam, came across the skull of an unknown animal. At first glance, it was clear that this mysterious creature is different from other known species. Soon the scientists’ guess was confirmed by the examination. It was a sensation! An unknown large mammal is just waiting for its discoverer! Who would get the honor?
The following year, groups of researchers went to the jungles of Vietnam, who wanted to see the Saola with their own eyes. With the help of locals, they discovered three pairs of mysterious mammals and made the first description of a new species. In total, during the year, zoologists discovered 20 pairs of animals. However, the lifestyle of the Saola could not be observed - it was very agile.
But scientists were able to describe it in detail. The length of the body of the saola reaches 1.8 m, the height in the shoulders is 0.9 m, the maximum weight is 100 kg. The coat is dark brown in color, above each of the four hooves there is a small white spot. The face of the animal is decorated with an individual white pattern. The length of the horns of the Saola directed back is 50 cm. They themselves are subtle and straight.
Saola is active during daylight hours. Moves alone or in pairs. It is kept near water sources, where it feeds on juicy grass. Its range is extremely small – a total of 8,000 square kilometers located on the border between Laos and Vietnam. However, only here you can see the saola, because no zoo in the world can show it to its visitors. Only a few times managed to catch shy representatives of the species, and all these cases ended in deplorable: Saola dies in captivity within two to three weeks.
Unfortunately, the number of species is critical - less than a hundred individuals. Vietnam is doing everything possible to preserve it. In particular, the habitat of the Saola is declared a reserve, where hunting for cloven-hoofed animals is prohibited. However, it is not yet possible to completely get rid of poachers, but environmentalists have already destroyed 30,000 illegally placed snares.
But even such protection bears fruit: more recently, scientists managed to get rare photos of the Saola, which means that this rare beast still lives in the forests of Vietnam.
Source: zoopicture.ru
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