One of the questions we are often asked when we talk about the project is: “But what does SAOLA actually mean?”. And if we are not careful, this is the moment when the conversation can get out of hand because we could talk about the subject for hours like when we take out the old family photo albums. You see ? 😉 But it's just because we're really passionate! So, we'll try to make it short...
So, Saola is a kind of Antelope which is one of the rarest animals on our planet, which can be found in the Annamese mountains on the border between Vietnam and Laos. So far, nothing exceptional. But what is incredible is that it was only discovered in 1992!
In short, a team from the Vietnamese Ministry of Forests and some WWF biologists got together to study the biodiversity of the new Vu Quang National Park. During this study, a member of the group discovered a pair of horns unknown to the local hunters. The next day they came across similar bones – a skull with two large parallel horns. Later, a carcass with the same type of horns. And there, they said to themselves that they had fallen on an unknown bone! ?
This completely unexpected discovery in this region is one of the most important in zoology of the last 50 years.
Nicknamed the Asian unicorn (obviously another reason why we love this name for the brand), Saola remains a mystery because she has only been seen a few times in the wild since her discovery. They estimate its population at 250 – 300 animals. There are no Saola in captivity and she is on the endangered species list.
This enigmatic story is both full of hope but also shows the fragility of our planet. This illustrates well the raison d'être of SAOLA. A modern brand looking to the future, looking for innovation and sustainable solutions. A brand that also wants to act immediately to preserve this fragile biodiversity.
This is why 3% of SAOLA sales will be donated to environmental projects. We select them very carefully from small or large associations, but always with the aim of having the greatest and most positive impact possible.
By offering you several options each season, you will have the opportunity to support the cause that is most important to you. You will help associations (NGOs) that work hard to protect the planet and contribute to the well-being of all of us. 3% may not seem like much to you, but when you add up all the little efforts, that's where the biggest difference is made. Find soon on saolashoes.com all the news concerning the associations and the selected projects. And remember, together we can #MAKEANIMPACT.
