Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T14:28:24.998Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis in Vietnam – new information on distribution and habitat preferences, and conservation needs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2009

Neville Kemp ,
Michael Dilger ,
Neil Burgess  and
Chu Van Dung
Neville Kemp
Affiliation:
Westfield, Bishopswood, Chard, Somerset TA20 3SA, UK.
Michael Dilger
Affiliation:
21 Newport Road, Stafford ST16 1BH, UK.
Neil Burgess
Affiliation:
Danish Centre for Tropical Biodiversity, Zoological Museum, Universitetsparken15, DK-2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark, and Society for Environmental Exploration, 77 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4QS, UK.
Chu Van Dung
Affiliation:
Department of Forest Protection, Department of Forestry, Vinh, Nghe An Province, Vietnam.
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

In 1995 a new population of the recently described, endangered bovid, the saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis, was found in the forests of Bu Huong, Nghe An Province in Vietnam. The new records were to the north of the main known populations, and represent an important range extension for the species. The new population may number only 30 individuals and appears to be confined to river valleys in primary forest. Investigations at this site and a compilation of published and unpublished data suggest that the range of the species in Vietnam and Laos includes over 5000 sq km of mountainous terrain, four protected areas (Vu Quang and Pu Mat, Nature Reserves [Vietnam], Nakai Nam Theun and Hin Namnu National Biodiversity Conservation Areas [Laos]), and three proposed protected areas (Bu Hong [Vietnam], Nam Chuan and Nakai Nam Theun Northern Extension National Boidiversity Conservation Areas [Laos]). All known locations for the species are mountainous with steep river valleys, covered by evergreen or semideciduous forests between 300 and 1800 m, with low human disturbance. The main threats to its survival are hunting by local villagers and clearance of forests to provide farmland. Both need to be tackled if the saola and other forest-endemic species of this area are to persist.

Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 31 , Issue 1 , January 1997 , pp. 37 - 44
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 1997

References

Berkmüller, K., Evans, T., Timmins, R. and Vongphet, V. 1995. Recent advances in nature conservation in the Lao PDR. Oryx, 29, 253–260.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dawson, S. 1995. Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) Studies in Nghe An and Ha Tinh Provinces, Vietnam. Consultancy report, World Wide Fund for Nature – Indochina Programme, National Wildlife Federation and World Conservation Union.Google Scholar
Dung, V.V., Giao, P.M., Chinh, N.N., Tuoc, D., Arctander, P. and McKinnon, J. 1993. A new species of living bovid from Vietnam. Nature, 363, 443–445.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dung, V.V., Giao, P.M., Chinh, N.N., Tuoc, D. and McKinnon, J. 1994. Discovery and conservation of the Vu Quang Ox in Vietnam. Oryx, 28, 16–21.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kemp, N., Chan, Le Mong and Dilger, M. 1995. Site Description and Conservation Evaluation: Pu Mat Nature Reserve, Nghe An Province, Vietnam. Frontier Vietnam Scientific Report No. 5, Society for Environmental Exploration, London.Google Scholar
Kemp, N., Chan, Le Mong and Dilger, M. 1996. Site Description and Conservation Evaluation: Proposed Bu Huong Nature Reserve, Nghe An Province, Vietnam. Frontier Vietnam Scientific Report No. 7, Society for Environmental Exploration, London.Google Scholar
Schaller, G.B. and Rabinowitz, A. 1995. The saola or spindlehorn bovid Pseudoryx nghetinhensis in Laos. Oryx, 29, 107–114.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
WCS 1994. A Wildlife and Habitat Survey of Nam Theun National Biodiversity Conservation Area, Khammouane and Bolikhamsai Provinces, Lao PDR. A report to Protected Areas and Wildlife Division of the National Office for Nature Conservation and Watershed Management, Vientiane, Laos. The Wildlife Conservation Society, New York.Google Scholar
Whitmore, T. 1975. Tropical Rain Forests of the Far East. Clarendon Press, Oxford.Google Scholar