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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.
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Abstract

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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 Investigations at this site and a compilation of published and unpublished data suggest that the range of the species in Vietnam and Laos includes over 5000 sq km of mountainous terrain, four protected areas (Vu Quang and Pu Mat,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

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