Saola nature reserve
The Saola nature reserve is a future reserve in the Vietnamese province of Quảng Nam , which is to be created primarily to protect the Saola primeval forest antelope , which is threatened with extinction . It is located in the Annamite Mountains and connects habitats on Vietnamese territory with the Xe Sap National Park in the Lao provinces of Sekong and Salavan . The establishment of the reserve was decided on April 14, 2011 by the People's Committee of Qu derng Nam Province. An adjacent Saola nature reserve was decided in the province of Thừa Thiên-Huế . Overall, this creates a complex of protected areas of around 3,000 square kilometers, which extends from the coast of Vietnam to Laos.
The Saola population is restricted to the Annamite Mountains in the Vietnamese-Laotian border area. The total population is estimated at a few hundred, possibly fewer animals. The establishment of the reserve is expected to significantly increase the Saola's chances of survival in their habitat. This is particularly important because the animals are not kept in captivity. The landscape of the protected area is characterized by narrow valleys with waterfalls, which are the preferred habitats for the Saola. The highest point is 1,300 m above sea level. The reserve should be searched regularly for poachers and snare traps. Other endangered species that are protected in the reserve are the redshank robed monkey and white-cheeked crested gibbon .
The aim is to connect the Bạch Mã National Park in eastern Vietnam with the Xe Xap National Park in Laos.
Web links
- Description of the protected area on the website of WWF Germany
- Description of the protected area on the website of WWF Austria
- Information about Saola on the international website of the WWF (English)