THE SAOLA PSEUDORYX NGHETINHENSIS IN VIETNAM - NEW INFORMATION ON DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT PREFERENCES, AND CONSERVATION NEEDS

In 1995 a new population of the recently described, endangered bovid, the saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis, was found in the forests of Bu Huon g, Nghe An Province in Vietnam. The new records were to the north of t he main known populations, and represent an important range extension the species. The new population may number only 30 individuals and app ears to be confined to river valleys in primary forest. Investigations at this site and a compilation of published and unpublished data sugg est that the range of the species in Vietnam and Laos includes over 50 00 sq km of mountainous terrain, four protected areas (Vu Quang and Pu Mat, Nature Reserves [Vietnam], Nakai Nam Theun and Hin Namnu Nationa l Biodiversity Conservation Areas [Laos]), and three proposed protecte d areas (Bu Hong [Vietnam], Nam Chuan and Nakai Nam Theun Northern Ext ension National Boidiversity Conservation Areas [Laos]). All known loc ations for the species are mountainous with steep river valleys, cover ed by evergreen or semideciduous forests between 300 and 1800 m, with low human disturbance. The main threats to its survival are hunting b y local villagers and clearance of forests to provide farmland. Both n eed to be tackled if the saola and other forest-endemic species of thi s area are to persist.