Alikudi Island in Italy was at the center of the environmental and social crisis due to the uncontrolled increase in the population of wild goats. Now they reach about 600 animals - six times more than the number of permanent residents of the island, currently in about 100.
These goats, brought to the island by farmers about 20 years ago, escaped and settled in remote areas where their population increased rapidly. For locals, this has become a real problem: animals destroy traditional dry stone terrace walls, eat protected plants and shrubs of the nature reserve. They also approach homes, destroy cacti, olive trees and capers, and often cover the trails, scaring away tourists. Despite the capture of tourists with wild goats, for the locals, this "invasion" has become a source of significant losses and dangers. Last year, the animal was made, but because of the complex relief - rocky paths and thick thickets - part of the goats remained not caught. Because of this, Alacudi authorities now consider a more radical option - the elimination of the population.
Giovanni Delll'akva, a rural development official, said: “They eat everything, they are dangerous. I wanted to avoid this, but extermination is the only way out, otherwise the island will be destroyed. ”
Meanwhile, the local resident of Eliza Collets shared sad thoughts about the situation: “It is cruel. But the goats have eaten everything, so their eating can be part of the natural cycle. "
