The mayor of an Italian island is tackling an animal overpopulation issue in a unique way: offering free goats to anyone who can catch them.
Riccardo Gullo, mayor of Alicudi in Sicily’s Aeolian archipelago, launched an “adopt-a-goat” program in response to the island’s wild goat population ballooning to six times its human population of around 100.
How to Get Your Free Goat
Gullo announced that individuals can free request goats by emailing the local government and paying a $17 “stamp fee,” with the condition that they must transport the goats off the island within 15 days of approval.
“There are no restrictions on numbers,” Gullo told The Guardian. “Anyone can make a request for a goat; it doesn’t have to be a farmer.”
Originally set to run until April 10, the deadline will be extended until the goat population is back at a manageable level. The mayor emphasized to CNN that there would be no investigation into the intentions of those requesting goats, but he expressed a preference for people to domesticate the animals rather than consume them.
The island’s goat population originated about 20 years ago when they were brought to Alicudi with the intention of breeding them. However, the goats were released and eventually became wild. While the goats have become a tourist attraction, their population explosion has led them to invade gardens and homes, prompting the need for this Free Goats solution.
The “adopt-a-goat” program has sparked interest and curiosity among locals and tourists alike. Some residents have expressed concern about the goats’ impact on the island’s ecosystem, while others see the program as a creative way to address the issue.
“I think it’s a great idea,” said one local resident. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone. People get free goats, and the island gets relief from the overpopulation problem.”
Tourists visiting the island have also shown interest in the Free Goats program, with some considering the possibility of taking a goat home as a souvenir of their trip.
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