The mayor of a remote Italian island overwhelmed by wild goats has offered to give the animals to anyone willing to take them in.
Riccardo Gullo came up with the novel idea after a recent census revealed that the number of goats on Alicudi, the smallest of the Aeolian Islands off Sicily, covering an area of five square kilometres, was six times the annual population of the island, which stands at 100 people.
The animals, adept at navigating the steep cliffs of Alicudi, once lived harmoniously with the residents and became a tourist attraction, much like the island’s volcano.
“A solution must be found as the threat to the island’s vegetation is serious,” Gullo said.
However, their numbers have increased so rapidly in recent years that they started moving from their usual habitat at the island’s summit towards inhabited areas, destroying the rich green vegetation, causing damage to gardens and fields, toppling sections of stone walls, and even entering homes.
Alicudi, which is a two to three-hour boat ride from mainland Sicily, falls under the administration of the larger island of Lipari.
“We do not want to consider killing the animals under any circumstances…”
The initiative “adopt a goat” was deemed the best way to manage the issue in the most compassionate manner.
“We do not want to consider killing the animals under any circumstances, so we encourage the idea to give them away,” Gullo stated.
“Anyone can apply, they don’t need to be a farmer, and there are no restrictions on the number,” he explained.
According to a report by The Guardian, people have until April 10 to submit their applications. “We have already received several calls, including one from a farmer on the island of Vulcano, who would like to take several as he produces a ricotta cheese that is very popular,” Gullo added.
The goats were first brought to Alicudi 20 years ago by someone who, it is believed, intended to breed the animals. However, the plan fell through, and the goats were left to their fate. The problems caused by their growing population were first highlighted by Paolo Lo Cascio, a former municipal councillor, in 2008.
“A solution must be found as the threat to the island’s vegetation is serious,” said Lo Cascio, who estimates the goat population at 800 instead of 600.
“Intervention should have been made 10 years ago,” he noted.
(With information from in.gr)
