Dear friends of Saola,
Today marks the start of the Lunar New Year, as celebrated in Vietnam, China and some other parts of Asia. In the 12-year cycle of the lunar zodiac, we are entering the Year of the Ox.
This makes it a year for Saola! When a team of biologists first discovered Pseudoryx nghetinhensis in 1992 in Vietnam’s Vu Quang Nature Reserve, at first they didn’t know what to make of this strange, wonderful animal, and where to place it taxonomically among other hoofed mammals of the world. Genetic analysis eventually revealed the new species to be a primitive member of the bovini tribe, which includes cattle (i.e., oxen), bison and buffaloes. For this reason, one of the first common names given to this new animal, before ‘Saola’ came into use, was ‘Vu Quang Ox’.
From the journal Oryx, 1994:
According to astrological predictions, the coming Year of the Ox will be “a year of hard work, determination and building”. This is precisely the goal of the Saola Foundation in the year ahead – through hard work and determination, building pivotal resources and capacity to help save this wonderful animal.
Can you help? To mark the New Year of the (Vu Quang!) Ox, please consider celebrating with a gift to Saola conservation, below (the only chance on this special occasion for another 12 years…). Or if you prefer, spread a little ‘Saola love’ for Valentine’s Day!
To our Vietnamese friends and colleagues, and their families, we wish you all the best for Tet (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year holiday), and much happiness and prosperity in the year ahead. And may there be much goodness, and more Saolas, in all of our futures.
Happy New Year!