Rare sighting in Laos of mysterious beast (twin-horned saola)

AFP on Yahoo ^ | 9/17/10 | AFP

[NormsRevenge]

HANOI (AFP) – One of the world's rarest animals, the secretive and mysterious twin-horned saola, has been seen for the first time in a decade, conservationists say.

Villagers in Laos captured a saola in August and took it to their remote community, but it died after a few days in captivity, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said in a statement.

The animal was photographed before its death, the first confirmed record since 1999 when pictures of wild saola were taken by automatic cameras in Laos, said IUCN, a Swiss-based network of scientists and environmental organisations.

No biologist has ever reported seeing a saola in the wild, the group said, and the species is classed as critically endangered with probably no more than a few hundred surviving.

When they learned of the animal's capture in the central province of Bolikhamxay Laotian authorities immediately sent a technical team to examine and release it, the IUCN said.

But the weakened animal died shortly after experts arrived.

"The death of this saola is unfortunate. But at least it confirms an area where it still occurs and the government will immediately move to strengthen conservation efforts there," Thursday's statement quoted the provincial conservation unit as saying.

[NormsRevenge]

This photo provided by the Bokikhamxay Provincial Conservation Unit shows one of the world's rarest animals, the secretive and mysterious twin-horned saola, captured in August 2010 in Lao province of Bolikhamxay. Villagers in Laos captured the saola in August and took it to their remote community but it died after a few days in captivity.The animal had been sighted for the first time in a decade. (BPCU/File)

[NormsRevenge]

Now, if this was about a Hildabeast sighting.. this would be in Breaking. ;-)

RIP little beasty

[NormsRevenge]

This critter ain't so shy.. unfortunately

London tradition : A performer takes part
in the Notting Hill Carnival in London.
(AFP/Carl Court)

[NormsRevenge]

Speaking of rare sightings? when's the last time ya saw a guy with 2009 needles stuck all over his head.

In this jaw-dropping picture from Guinness World Records 2011, Wei Shengchu poses after earning the record for "Most Needles in the Head". Shengchu had 2,009 needles inserted into his head on the set of the Lo Sho dei Record in Milan, Italy. Photo Credit: Paul Michael Hughes/Guinness World Records. (PRNewsFoto/Guinness World Records, Paul Michael Hughes) >

[End Times Sentinel]

Big deal.

My narwal would kick your Saola's ass.

[NormsRevenge]

shish kabob enabled or what .. wow.. amaizing what nature comes up with.

[Revolting cat!]

Tastes like chicken.

[tumblindice]

“it died after a few days in captivity”

Mmmmmmmmm, bar-b-q saola

[fso301]

one of those would be perfect on the wall of my den.

[JoeProBono]

[WOBBLY BOB]

Someone should let it know it’s Hmong friends.

[ChiefJayStrongbow]

... from Guinness World Records 2011, Wei Shengchu poses after earning the record for "Most Needles in the Head". Shengchu had 2,009 needles inserted into his head ... One thing that neat-o is how he holds a future record (2011). If I were him, I would add a needle a year just to stay relevant.

[Deaf Smith]

"but it died after a few days in captivity"

There was a delay is getting the order in for the Stubb's Mopp'n Sauce. Then it was eight hours on the smoker.

[Plutarch]

Would make a great sports team mascot.

[Vision]

They found it!

[correctthought]

Chewie, is that you?

[ncalburt]

sad

[MichaelP]

BBQ Saola....my thoughts exactly!

Mike

[Boogieman]

At first, I thought, it’s just another breed of goat, then I saw the feet. Those look more like something you’d see on a tapir or something. Maybe just a goat that’s adapted to running around the same type of environment as tapirs.