The mayor of a remote Italian island overrun by wild goats has offered to give the animals away to anyone who wants them.
Riccardo Gullo came up with the new idea after a recent census estimated that the number of goats on the five-square-kilometer Alicudi, the smallest Sicilian island in the Aeolian archipelago, was six times the island’s year-round population of 100.
The animals, adept at navigating Alicudi’s steep cliffs, once coexisted harmoniously with humans and became as much a tourist attraction as its dormant volcano.
But their numbers have grown so rapidly in recent years that they have begun to gravitate from their usual habitat atop the island towards inhabited areas, damaging lush green vegetation, wreaking havoc in gardens and plots, toppling parts of stone walls, and even wandering into people’s homes, prompting demands for a solution. Alicudi, which is a two to three-hour boat ride from mainland Sicily, falls under the administration of the larger Lipari island.
The “Adopt a Goat” initiative was considered the best way to address this problem in the most compassionate manner. “We absolutely do not want to even think about culling the animals, so we encourage the idea of giving them away,” Gullo said. “Anyone can make a request for a goat, it doesn‘t have to be a farmer, and there are no restrictions on numbers.”
People have until April 10th to submit their application. “We’ve already had several phone calls, including one from a farmer on the island of Vulcano who would like to take several goats because, among other things, he produces the highly esteemed Ricotta cheese,” Gullo added. “If someone has the capacity to domesticate a goat, this could be a nice and more humane way to address this problem.”
Goats were first introduced to Alicudi 20 years ago, it is believed, by someone who intended to breed the animals. But the plan failed, and the goats were left to fend for themselves. The problems caused by the growing population were first highlighted by Paolo Lo Cascio, a former councilor, in 2008.
“A solution is needed because the threat to the island’s vegetation is serious,” said Lo Cascio, who estimates the goat population at 800, not 600. “But Alicudi is a very complicated island, first you have to access it, and then try to capture all the goats. The intervention should have been done 10 years ago.”
Gloria, who owns the Golden Cafe Noir in Alicudi’s port, said the animals had become “unmanageable”. “They move in packs and cause damage, there are just too many of them.” One came and sat under a table in her bar. “It was somewhat appealing, but then I started worrying it might bite someone.” While she welcomed the initiative, she questioned its feasibility. Getting to the top of Alicudi, where the village is located, involves a steep climb. “How will they bring back the goats? Maybe they need a helicopter to transfer two or three at a time. It’s a nice suggestion, but there is still no logistical solution.”
