Alicudi, the least inhabited of the seven Aeolian islands off the northern coast of Sicily, is facing a rather interesting problem in that it has more goats than people. A lot more.
With just 100 residents on the island, the population of wild goats has ballooned to 600 this year and local mayor Riccardo Gullo is pleading with anyone, anywhere, to take these goats as far from Alicudi as possible. No experience required.
The island will be looking to offload the large majority of these animals to reach the desired population of 100 and request that anyone interested in taking up to 50 goats submit an official request via email by April 10th along with a €16 stamp fee. Once approved, all you have to do is get the goat or goats off the island in 15 days and they’re all yours!
According to local authorities, the goats first popped up on the island about 20 years ago when a farmer set them free, but only this year did their reproduction rate really spiral out of control. The goats have “encroached on residential areas, invaded homes, and munched on whatever they can find in public parks, private gardens, and hedges.” Even so, the regional government would rather give the goats away as part of an “adopt-a-goat” program than slaughter them for population control and are already fielding inquiries.
“We have heard from dozens of people since we first announced this,” Gullo said, including a goat cheese producer from the nearby island of Vulcano. However, the mayor noted that Alicudi leadership would prefer “to see people try to domesticate the animals rather than eat them.”
So, if you’ve ever wanted a pet goat and have the means to get the animal off the island, do not hesitate to reach out to Gullo as he also demonstrated his intention to extend the deadline until the goats are adopted.
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