Fauna

Pseudoryx nghetinhensis

Pseudoryx nghetinhensis
Latin name:Pseudoryx nghetinhensis
Vietnamese Name:Sao la
Family:Bovidae
Order:Artiodactyla
Class (Group):

Identification

Physical Characteristics:

  • Large body size.
  • Body length ranges from 1.3 to 1.5 meters; weight: 80 to 120 kg.
  • Dark brown head with white or pale black markings.
  • Face is dark brown or pale reddish-brown. Both males and females have white stripes above and below the eyes, and many white markings on the chin and neck.
  • The back of the ears are brown, while the front is pale white; the tips of the ears have tufts of long white hair.
  • The back is brown, and the sides have pale white stripes separating the back from the pale black legs.
  • Soft, smooth fur with spiral patterns on the middle of the nose, sides of the neck, and shoulders.
  • White rings are present just above the hooves on all four legs.
  • Both males and females have horns. The horns are long, nearly straight, unbranched, and the tips are sharp and smooth, with the horn core extending to the tip.

Biology and Ecology

Diet:

  • Primarily grazes on grass and forest foliage.
  • According to Do Tuoc, Sao La calves aged 7-8 months consume 58 species of plants.

Reproduction:

  • Reproduction is still poorly understood.

Habitat:

  • Inhabits evergreen broadleaf tropical forests, primary forests, or areas that have undergone light logging.
  • Prefers areas with rocky outcrops near streams at elevations of 200-600 meters above sea level and away from human settlements.
  • Their social behavior is yet to be fully understood.

Distribution

In Vietnam:

  • Nghe An, Ha Tinh (Vu Quang National Park), Quang Tri, Thua Thien – Hue (Bach Ma National Park).

Globally:

  • Laos.

Value

  • A newly discovered mammal species in Vietnam, belonging to the Bovidae family (cattle).
  • Adapted to high mountain forests.
  • Potential for ecotourism.

Conservation Status

  • Restricted distribution; limited numbers.
  • Threatened by hunting, trapping, and habitat degradation due to deforestation for agriculture near streams within the forests.
  • Distribution is fragmented, leading to a declining population.

Red List Status

  • EN A1c,d B1 + 2a,b C1 +2a. (Endangered)

Conservation Measures

  • Listed in the Vietnam Red Book and the IUCN Red List (1996).
  • Protected by the Government’s Decree 48/2002/ND-CP, which prohibits hunting, trapping, and trade.
  • National parks and nature reserves have been established in areas where Sao La are found.
  • Further protected areas, such as in A Luoi (Thua Thien – Hue), are needed.