What is there to do on a Sunday night when there is nothing of interest on the television and you are in the fourth month of a pandemic lockdown? Of course, you google around until you find a list of the word's most critically endangered animals.
Most of the beautiful and unique creatures on that list are pretty well-known - The Sumatran rhino, the orangutan, the hawksbill turtle, The Eastern Lowland gorilla etcetera. But there was one creature on that list that I admit I had never heard of before - the saola.
This member of the antelope and bovine families was not recorded by zoologists until May 1992. It was discovered in the forests of north and central Vietnam. Think of that... all the time The Vietnam War was being played out, shy saolas were grazing nervously in the shadows - even as helicopters whirred overhead and agent orange was raining down in the name of freedom.
There are not many decent photographs of saolas - probably because they are so rare. In December of last year it was estimated that there are only between seventy and 750 left in the wild. Even as I write this blogpost they may all be gone but I hope not. I hope that there are sections of virgin forest where they still feed and reproduce in peace.
In neighbouring Laos the creature is called the saht-supahp which means "the polite animal" - probably because of its quiet behaviour.
Saolas are herbivores. They seem to give birth to single calves. They have twin horns that sprout from the skull very close together and undoubtedly that is why they are sometimes known as "The Asian unicorn".
Like several other critically endangered animals, the saola's chief threats come from humankind. Forest habitats have been reduced or invaded by loggers and local hunters have killed them for their meat. It's the same old story.
Bless the saola.
I haven't heard of them either. I like the name the polite animal. Let's hope they are still around and stay long
ReplyDeleteLet us hope that it does not go the way of the Tasmanian tiger which became extinct in 1933.
DeleteOne of your favorite themes would fit well population increase.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mention population growth but there is clearly a strong connection.
DeleteYes, indeed, bless them and all the animals pushed to the edge of endangerment or extinction by the cruelest animal of all.
ReplyDeleteThey remind me of our white-tail deer, but according to Wikipedia it seems they are part of the bovidae family which includes cattle.
Wikipedia? What is that? Is it also part of the bovidae family?
DeleteLike you say, it's the same old story again. Actually, at the rate we are reproducing and invading every inch of the planet that is accessible to us (and even parts of the less accessible bits), it is amazing that there are any other species left apart from those who thrive in human company, such as rats and seagulls.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me feel so sad...for what we have lost and what we are still losing.
DeleteI feel for the Saola. I do. Except they don't reflect on their destiny as we do on theirs, indeed as we do on our own. And do spare a thought for Dinosaurs. Humans weren't around then to decimate them. Nature has its own law(s), YP. May that be a comforting thought to you. For reasons well worth NOT thinking about we [humans] think we are in control and the "world" and its wonders is here to entertain us. HA! Not so. Let's not take it all so seriously. Life is swift.
ReplyDeleteU
It was a mighty comet, 66 million years ago, that killed the last dinosaurs. Now, metaphorically speaking, humankind is imitating the destructive power of that comet.
DeleteCould you adopt one YP?
ReplyDeleteI don't know. Please find out for me and report back - like a P.A..
DeleteCan they ban cars too? I hate seeing roadkill on rural roads.
ReplyDeleteIn West Cork, I believe that roadkill is called dinner.
DeleteSeriously though, whenever I see a dead creature at the roadside, my heart always skips a beat.
DeleteMe too. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteWe are both as soft as...
DeleteLassie films still make me cough. Stiff upper lip and all that😊.
ReplyDeleteDon't you mean girlie films? Not my cup of tea Dave.
DeleteWell, after reading that I'm sure it's going to be a terrific week.
ReplyDeleteBut the way things are going, we're all going to die from this virus so the saola may have a chance yet.
Maybe we will go like the dinosaurs and in a thousand years the saola will be in charge of this planet. In my dreams.
DeleteI have never heard of the Saola! Apparently the forests of Vietnam contain a lot of secrets. The New York Times ran an article last fall about something called a Chevrotain that is so rare people weren't sure it still existed. Then a camera caught a picture of it! You can see it here: https://nyti.ms/2Q9f7sC
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute creature! Thanks for that link Steve.
DeleteEvery day is a school day.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget that your homework assignment is due in on Friday Edwards Major! If only you could be as reliable as Edwards Minor!
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