Sometimes you just need an international <facepalm>

[Platapus]

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/09/17/laos.asian.unicorn.saola/index.html

Endangered Asian 'unicorn' captured, first sighting in decade


The animal was captured by villagers[/U] in Laos in August, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.


The villagers took the saola back to their village in Bolikhamxay province and Laotian conservation authorities sent a team to check on the animal. The creature, likely weakened from its time in captivity, died shortly after that team arrived.


....



Gee I wonder why this animal is so endangered... <facepalm>

[Gerald]

It's really good that the species will be back, but why has it been gone so long :hmmm:

[tater]

The probably ate it to keep their ****s hard.

[DarkFish]

It's really good that the species will be back, but why has it been gone so long :hmmm:methinks 'tis a wee misunderstanding here, the species won't come back. Not this way, ye bunch o' stinkin' herrings!

[Sammi79]

It's really good that the species will be back, but why has it been gone so long :hmmm:

Being gone for so long would indicate a very small total number of these creatures left. With such small numbers (100 or less) , It is possible and likely that their gene pool is severely limited and problems with close relative interbreeding can only get worse, even if they manage to increase their number they may well already be past the point of no return for a species. :cry:

Beautiful animal though, even as it dies from ill-advised human treatment in captivity. That may well have been the last time any human sees a live example of the Soala.

[Gerald]

Very impressive and blessed response from you all, God be with you.

[Jimbuna]

That's pretty damn awful....possibly the best chances for the species to survive would be for a group to be kept in captivity and tasked to provide a living environment that would encourage/enable the species to breed.

Sadly, probably a million to one shot.