From Mount Everest to the Annamite Mountains: Applying molecular tools for wildlife conservation, presented by Dr. Tracie Seimon, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, at the Bronx Zoo in New York.
Dr. Seimon directs for WCS the development and implementation of molecular diagnostic technologies to search for wildlife and endangered species using environmental DNA (eDNA). These tools help identify species in the wildlife trade, diagnose infectious diseases in wildlife, and detect rare species in the wild –such as Saola. She was instrumental in guiding development for the Saola Foundation of the first-ever Saola-specific rapid DNA test kit – a technical cornerstone of our search for Saola.
Her work and teaching has covered Cambodia, the Russian Far East, Uganda, Rwanda, Peru, Myanmar, Vietnam and now, more recently, Lao PDR with the Saola Foundation!
Check out this fascinating talk on her genetics ‘detective work’ for wildlife.
We are delighted to announce our next series of winter/spring seminar talks, offered free and presented live on Zoom. For this next series, we bring you stories of the fascinating work of some of our technical partners.
First up, on Saturday, February 25, 2023 will be: “From Mount Everest to the Annamite Mountains: Applying molecular tools for wildlife conservation”, presented by Dr. Tracie Seimon, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, at the Bronx Zoo in New York.
Her talk is free, but registration is required, which you can do here.
Local times for the talk are listed below.
Dr. Seimon directs for WCS the development and implementation of molecular diagnostic technologies to search for wildlife and endangered species using environmental DNA (eDNA). These tools help identify species in the wildlife trade, diagnose infectious diseases in wildlife, and detect rare species in the wild –such as Saola. She was instrumental in guiding development for the Saola Foundation of the first-ever Saola-specific rapid DNA test kit – a technical cornerstone of our search for Saola.
Dr. Seimon received her PhD in experimental pathology from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 2003, and served as a Post-doctoral Research Fellow variously between Columbia University and WCS from 2003-2012.
Her work and teaching has covered Cambodia, the Russian Far East, Uganda, Rwanda, Peru, Myanmar, Vietnam and now, more recently, Lao PDR with the Saola Foundation!
Please join us for this fascinating talk on her genetics ‘detective work’ for wildlife.
Then on March 25, we’ll hear how the ancient skill of wildlife tracking can be used to help save endangered wildlife in the 21st century. Our guides will be two Senior Trackers and Evaluators from our partner CyberTracker – Lee Gutteridge and Dr. Kersey Lawrence. Details to follow.
In the meantime, hope to see on February 25!
-The Saola Foundation Team
Local times for “From Mount Everest to the Annamite Mountains: Applying molecular tools for wildlife conservation”:
07:00 am US Pacific
08:00 am US Mountain
09:00 am US Central
10:00 am US Eastern
15:00 London
16:00 most of continental Europe
22:00 Vientiane/Hanoi/Bangkok
Time to think about holiday gifts? Look no further! Get something nice for you and your loved ones, and save a Saola this Christmas!
Thanks to some creative and dynamic partners, we are delighted to point you to some wonderful Saola-themed gifts – with a significant portion of all sales going to support the critical work of the Saola Foundation!
First, there is the wonderful “Saola Asian Unicorn” fragrance, available from the fantastic company, Sanctuary,here. “Created for those who care about the fate of our planet, Sanctuary offers fragrances for a better future.” Sanctuary’s “Saola Asia Unicorn” perfume is playful and whimsical with a hint of juicy pineapple, balanced with notes of lush greenery and Southeast Asian jasmine. And 20% of every sale will go to the Saola Foundation.
All Sanctuary fragrances are produced with 100% transparency in their ingredients and processes, and are created using a clean formulation.
Next up is Askari Wild and their wide selection of Saola Foundation-themed clothing and accessories (wear proudly!), availablehere. The ‘parent’ of Askari Wild is the Askari Project, an initiative that focuses on conservation of elephants in Africa. The Askari Project subsequently launched the online store, Askari Wild, to support the conservation of other endangered wildlife, including now the Saola. In addition, Askari Wild uses a cutting-edge production and distribution system that minimizes fossil fuel consumption, and allows quick worldwide shipping at low cost for both customers and the environment. Note: Prices shown on Askari Wild’s online store are in Australian dollars, and so much less after conversion to US$. Order away!
Another wonderful company is Selatan Giftware. Inspired by Selatan, an extraordinary Sumatran tiger once under the care of the company’s founder, Selatan the business is committed to providing financial support to conservation of Sumatran tigers in the wild. We are delighted to announce that Selatan has recently added a collection of items to support Saola conservation,which you can find here. More than half the proceeds of each sale will go to support the Saola Foundation. Products include a Saola brooch made with FSC Certified Bamboo Plywood.
We are most grateful to our ally Glenn Sullivan, of Taronga Zoo in Australia, for connecting us with both Askari and Selatan.
Finally, if you are in Laos, or your next time there, please visit our friends at Comma Coffee and pick up a bag or two of their exclusive “Saola Blend” coffee beans! Comma Coffee is an independent coffee roaster in Laos, with two cafés (one each in Vientiane and the former royal capital of Luang Prabang). Comma uses beans sourced from small farmers in the best coffee growing regions of Laos. The company also takes pride in ensuring that their staff earn a living wage, and learn new skills.
Their special “Saola Blend” is a medium roast with nutty, chocolate notes – and a portion of all sales go to help the Saola Foundation. Get a caffeine buzz, and save Saola!
This holiday season, please support these fantastic companies – and help keep Saola on our beautiful planet a little while longer.
