HUẾ CITY -- In a significant move for global biodiversity conservation, Huế City's People's Committee has announced the expansion of the Saola Nature Reserve by over 4,000 hectares. This newly established reserve will cover an area of 9,375.55 hectares, enhancing efforts to protect rich biodiversity and endangered species, including the critically endangered Saola, often referred to as the 'Asian unicorn'.
The expansion is not just about increasing size; it serves as a vital ecological corridor linking several protected areas in Vietnam and Laos, including Xesap National Protected Area and Bạch Mã National Park. This strategic connection aims to foster a stable habitat for flora and fauna, ensuring the survival of various species in the trans-boundary forest complex.
Nguyễn Đại Anh Tuấn, Deputy Director of the city's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, emphasized the importance of this reserve in restoring degraded forest areas and enhancing ecological systems. The successful conservation of the Saola has been a collaborative effort supported by the CarBi II project, in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the German Development Bank.
WWF-Việt Nam's project director, Nguyễn Quốc Anh, hailed the establishment of the new reserve as a testament to effective cooperation among various partners. The project has significantly contributed to management and protection activities in the region, setting a precedent for biodiversity conservation efforts across Vietnam.
Additionally, Bạch Mã National Park has been designated as the world's only breeding center for the elusive Saola, which is one of the rarest large mammals discovered in the 20th century. From 2011 to 2021, WWF-Việt Nam and local authorities successfully removed nearly 120,000 snares from the region, further showcasing the ongoing commitment to safeguarding this unique species.