In 1992, in a remote mountain range, a team of scientists discovered the remains of an unusual animal with 2 beautiful long, curved horns, which, from the side, merged into one—a “unicorn”. It turned out to be a living species new to western science — a saola, the first large land mammal discovered in 50 years. The Last Unicorn is the story of William deBuys’ search to find and understand an elusive and exceptionally rare species in the heart of Southeast Asia’s jungles. Along the way, deBuys’ expedition collects 970 snares set to capture all manner of wildlife for sale in Vietnam and China, where demand for wild meats and ingredients for medicinal treatments is voracious. Indeed, much of the book concentrates on the feeble conservation efforts taking place in one of the world’s most species-rich regions. So please join host Stephen Spitz as we journey with one of our best-known conservation writers through the wilds of Laos in search of the saola. Produced with assistance of Jefferson White and Lynn Schibeci.
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