Successfully decoded the gene of the rare saola species in Vietnam

A conservation breakthrough has been marked by scientists successfully decoding the genome of the saola for the first time. This is one of the world's rarest animals, living in the mountains of Vietnam and Laos.

The saola, also known as the "Asian unicorn", has had its genome decoded for the first time, opening up conservation hopes - Photo: William Robichaud

Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis) is a hoofed mammal related to cows and antelopes, first discovered in 1992 in the mountainous region along the Vietnam-Laos border.

With two long, straight horns and a distinctive white-striped face, this animal is considered the "Asian unicorn". They are mysterious and have never been directly observed by scientists in the wild.

The mystery of the world's rarest animal

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the saola is classified as critically endangered. The current population is estimated to be in the tens to hundreds. The last confirmed image of a saola was from a camera trap in Laos in 2013, leading many to fear that they may be extinct.

In a study recently published in the journal Cell, scientists from Copenhagen University (Denmark) and international collaborators successfully recreated the full genome of the saola , using skin, fur and bone samples collected from 26 saola.

Through this, the research team discovered that saola are divided into two distinct genetic populations: one in the north and one in the south of the Truong Son range, which may have separated 5,000 - 20,000 years ago.

"Each population has lost a different part of the genetic code. But if we combine them, they can complement each other, increasing the chances of survival of the species," said Dr. Gene ís Garcia Erill, co-author of the study.

Although the genetic diversity of this species has declined significantly since the last Ice Age, never exceeding 5,000 individuals, the existence of two distinct populations provides a good basis for an effective breeding program.

Opportunities for breeding saola in captivity

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the saola as critically endangered - Photo: IUCN

Conservationists are now developing plans to find and breed saola in captivity. Genetic simulations show that if at least 12 individuals representing both populations can be found, it is entirely possible to build a new population with high genetic diversity.

"We believe that if we find enough individuals from both populations, the saola still has a chance to survive in the long term," said Dr. Rasmus Heller, co-leader of the research team.

The biggest challenge, however, is finding saola in the wild, something no one has done since 2013. Previous efforts, including analyzing environmental DNA (eDNA) from stream water and even from… blood in forest leeches, have all failed to yield results.

But with the complete genome now complete, scientists can develop more precise DNA detection tools, opening up hope of locating this mysterious animal.

"We now have a map of the entire saola genome , which will help develop more advanced testing techniques to trace genetic traces in the environment," said researcher Le Minh Duc ( Hanoi National University).

Decoding the genome is a huge step forward, but the conservation of the “Asian unicorn” remains a long way off. But the research is a clear demonstration of the value of science in saving species on the brink of extinction, and puts hope once again in the miraculous powers of nature.

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MINH HAI

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/giai-ma-thanh-cong-gene-loai-sao-la-quy-hiem-o-viet-nam-20250509141747091.htm