Sao la, << sow lah, >> often spelled saola, is an Asian hoofed mammal that was discovered by scientists only in 1992. Its name means spindle horn in Vietnamese, after the animal’s two long, sharp horns that resemble Vietnamese weaving needles. People also call this mammal the Vu Quang ox, after the nature reserve where it was first discovered.
The sao la is a kind of bovid, an animal related to gazelles and goats. It grows about 3 feet (90 centimeters) tall at the shoulders and has a sturdy neck, narrow muzzle, and short tail. The body ranges from reddish-brown to dark brown. A thin dark stripe runs down the back, and whitish markings appear on the face, rear, and above the hooves. The animal has a scent gland in front of each eye, a rare feature among bovids (cattle, sheep, and similar animals).
The sao la lives in remote forested areas of Vietnam and Laos. Scientists believe it inhabits hard-to-reach mountainous areas during the summer but comes down to the lowlands in winter. It may live in groups of two or three animals and eat such plant foods as leaves, grasses, and herbs. Its long horns probably help defend it against predators (hunting animals). People threaten the sao la through hunting and habitat destruction. It is in great danger of dying out completely.
