The Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), a new large mammal species, was discovered to science in 1993 and listed as critical endangered. Its systematic position within the family Bovidae, however, remains confused since previous studies have led to several conflicting hypotheses. In the present study, an analysis of microsatellite data was performed to determinate the taxonomic status of this enigmatic species. Cross species amplification of 19 cattle microsatellite loci was tested on a panel of 56 individuals representing 9 different species of the Bovidae. Phylogenetic analyses were carried out on matrices from the Dps and Dc genetic distances using the neighbour-joining method. The results obtained from separate and combined analyses strongly support a grouping of Pseudoryx with subtribe Bubalina, which contains all species of Bubalus and Syncerus.