How to Save the Saola
How to Save the Saola In the dense jungles of Southeast Asia lays an elusive creature affectionately called the “Asian Unicorn.” This majestic animal is actually named “Saola” and was thought to be extinct up until recently. The Saola is an extremely rare mammal found only in Vietnam and Laos. The saola was discovered in 1992, but was thought to have become extinct after 1999; however, the saola has reappeared after a fourteen year long absence in the Annamite Mountains of Vietnam. The reason for why saolas are headed down the path to extinction is caused by a variety of factors. Deforestations, illegal poaching, and hunting traps are all causes for the declining saola population. A major reason for the extermination of the Saola is due to deforestation. Deforestation is the removal of forests to pave way to more urban uses. It proves as a danger to the native Saolas because deforestation is destroying their homes, jamming them into smaller spaces. This threatens the saolas because it forces them out of their natural habitat, killing them due to the difficulty of adjusting to new environments. Deforestations can have many different forms ranging from large machines cutting down countless trees or to a rampaging fire consuming everything in its path, both of which can kill a myriad of animals in the process. It is unfortunate that completely halting deforestation is unachievable, because the population will continue to rise, so it is inevitable to reconfigure the landscape. However, many are taking measures to combat this problem by creating protected areas in forests and replanting forests, also known as reforestation. With help, the Saola population and many others will not have to worry about finding new living spaces and live in peace in their natural habitat. Another reason that is also a heavy concern all over the world is the issue of the illegal poaching of animals. Poaching is a serious matter as it can extremely damage many species of animals.