A saola (or 'Asian unicorn') pauses in the jungle of Vietnam. A new nature reserve in Quang Nam, central Vietnam, has raised hopes for the survival of the recently discovered and critically endangered antelope-like species. The saola looks like a small deer or antelope with two horns, even though it's locally called an Asian unicornPhotograph: APThe saola's natural habitat - Greater Annamites, central VietnamPhotograph: Jeremy Holden/WWFWild saola caught on camera in Bolikhamxay province, central Laos in 1999 Photograph: William Robichaud
A hunter from the Katu tribe in Quang Nam province, Vietnam with a saola skull and horns Photograph: Jeremy Holden/WWFA villager with saola horns in Bolikhamxay province, Laos in 2002 Photograph: William RobichaudPatrol team with wire snares removed from Nakai-Nam Theun protected area, Laos, 2009. Saola are caught in wire snares set by hunters to catch other animals, often for the illegal wildlife trade Photograph: William RobichaudA female saola, Lak Xao, Bolikhamxay Province, Laos, 1996 Photograph: William RobichaudThe first confirmed sighting of a saola, one of the world's rarest animals in Laos. The animal died after villagers took it into captivity in a remote region of Laos, said conservationists Photograph: Bolikhamxay Province Conservation Unit
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