The People's Committee of Hue City has issued Decision No. 3460/QĐ-UBND to establish the Sao La Nature Reserve. Covering an area of over 19,000 hectares, the reserve aims to protect the natural forests of the Central Truong Son region and conserve wildlife species listed in the Red Data Books.
The total area of the Sao La Nature Reserve is 19,375.55 hectares, comprising 15,303.39 hectares under the existing Sao La Conservation Area and an additional 4,072.16 hectares of expansion. Specifically, the reserve includes a strict protection zone of 12,669.80 hectares, an ecological restoration zone of 6,580.04 hectares, and an administrative and service zone of 125.71 hectares.
The Sao La Conservation Area is recognized as one of the most biologically diverse regions in the area and serves as the habitat for the Sao La, among other species. It is home to numerous rare and valuable animal and plant species, with records of 42 mammal species, 84 amphibian and reptile species, 139 bird species, and 1,114 plant species, many of which are listed in Viet Nam's Red Data Book and the IUCN Red List.
The Sao La Nature Reserve's mission includes protecting the natural forest areas in the Central Truong Son region, mainly serving as the headwater protection forest for the Huong and Bo rivers. The reserve protects, develops, and manages forest and natural resources while restoring and conserving ecosystems and rare species. Special emphasis is placed on conserving the Sao La population and two other ungulate species, the Large-antlered Muntjac and the Truong Son Muntjac, along with other endemic and rare plant and animal species.
In addition to conserving biodiversity, species, genetic resources, and the unique landscapes of the forest, the Sao La Nature Reserve aims to raise public awareness and foster cooperation among local communities, the government, and international organizations.
The Sao La, listed in the Red Data Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Viet Nam, is recognized as a species at extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Representing the evolutionary history of the Truong Son range, the Sao La is endemic to the Truong Son Mountains, occurring only in areas spanning six provinces in Viet Nam and four provinces in Laos.