Hue receives VND3.1 billion from WWF to track 'Asian unicorn'

Saola - a rare animal known as the "Asian unicorn" or "spirit of Truong Son" has been recorded in Vietnam - Photo: DAViD HULSE, WWF

On April 1, the Hue City People's Committee announced that Chairman of the City People's Committee Nguyen Van Phuong has just decided to receive non-refundable aid from the project "Speak up to protect saola and ecosystems for nature and people" sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The total value of this aid is more than 3.1 billion VND.

The project aims to enhance the capacity and participation of social organizations in the field of biodiversity conservation, saola protection, raise awareness of the community and stakeholders to contribute to the improvement of policies on wildlife management and protection.

At the same time, the project contributes to ending the illegal trade and consumption of wildlife in Hue City, supporting the implementation of the National Strategy on Biodiversity Conservation to 2030, with a vision to 2050.

According to the plan, by June 2025, the project will strengthen the capacity of social organizations and local communities in wildlife management and protection. By September 2025, communication and propaganda activities will help spread the message of biodiversity and wildlife conservation.

By June 2026, forest patrols and protection activities in the Saola Nature Reserve in Hue will be strengthened. Forest rangers will be equipped with necessary support equipment and regularly share conservation experiences with experts and colleagues in other protected areas.

The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Hue City is the unit that receives and implements this aid source according to its functions and tasks.

Sao la - 'Asian unicorn, soul of the Truong Son range'

The saola ( Pseudoryx nghetinhensis ) is one of the world's rarest and most mysterious mammals, first discovered in 1992 in the Truong Son mountain range, the Vietnam-Laos border area. Due to its rarity and mystery, the saola is also known as the "Asian unicorn".

The last time a saola was recorded in Vietnam was in 2013, when a camera trap captured an individual in a forest in Quang Nam. This was a shocking discovery at the time about this animal species that was on the brink of extinction.

Since then, the 'Asian unicorn' has almost disappeared from Vietnam's forests.

Although scientists have not made any new discoveries about the saola species, thanks to the government's attention and the world's cooperation in preserving this rare animal species, many forests in Vietnam have gradually recovered.

Other rare wild animals such as Truong Son muntjac, Truong Son striped rabbit, Asiatic black bear... have appeared more in the natural forests of saola conservation areas along the Truong Son mountain range.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hue-tiep-nhan-3-1-ti-dong-tu-wwf-de-theo-dau-ky-lan-chau-a-20250401093603845.htm