Imagine stumbling upon a real unicorn in the middle of the jungle. Sounds like a fantasy, right? But, plot twist -- it actually exists! Meet the Saola, a super rare animal that lives deep in the forests of Laos & Vietnam.
The Saola was first discovered in 1992. Yep, that's recent. Scientists were totally shocked because it's not everyday you find a new large mammal species. It's like a Tiktok Creator going viral, like out of nowhere. Suddenly, everyone's like "who is this?". With its long, straight horns and unique facial markings, the Saola gives major aesthetic vibes.
But, here's the not-so-magical part: The Saola is one of the most endangered animals on earth. It's so rare that we don't even know how many are left, maybe a few dozen, maybe less. They're like the ultimate hidden gems. Why are they disappearing? Deforestation, illegal hunting and wildlife traps meant for other animals are slowly pushing them to extinction.
So, what can we do? As the most connected and aware generation, it's on us, to hype up Saola, spread awareness, support conservation, and actually care. Because, if we don't. This real-life unicorn could vanish, forever.
Follow Instagram @kompasianacom juga Tiktok @kompasiana biar nggak ketinggalan event seru komunitas dan tips dapat cuan dari Kompasiana. Baca juga cerita inspiratif langsung dari smartphone kamu dengan bergabung di WhatsApp Channel Kompasiana di SINI