"There Are Too Many Yeomso, So They're Given Away for Free... But You Have to Catch Them Yourself"

The Number of Goats Reaches Six Times That of Residents
Population Grows from a Pair of Goats Brought 20 Years Ago

An Italian village in Sicily is drawing attention online by holding a 'Free Goat Adoption' event. This measure was taken as the number of goats far exceeded the number of residents, making it impossible to manage.

On the 4th (local time), CNN and other media reported that a small village in the Sicily region held a 'Free Goat Adoption' event. Anyone who comes to this village can take a goat for free. However, the goats must be caught by hand.

A free goat adoption event is being held in a rural village in Italy. The photo is not related to any specific expression in the article. [Image source=Pixabay]

This event is a measure proposed by the village mayor, Riccardo Gullo, as a desperate attempt to reduce the rapidly increasing goat population. The village has only about 100 residents, but recently the number of goats has surged to six times the human population.

Mayor Gullo explained that, after requesting approval from the Sicily regional government, anyone can take as many goats as they want by paying only a 'stamp fee' equivalent to about 17 dollars (a tax paid to the local government by the buyer of certain assets). It is said that obtaining approval to transport goats from the island to other places takes about 15 days.

In an interview with the British media outlet The Guardian, Mayor Gullo emphasized repeatedly, "Anyone can take as many (goats) as they want," adding, "You don't have to be a farmer. There is no limit on the number."

Mayor Gullo's 'Goat Adoption' policy is scheduled to continue until the 10th. If the goat population is reduced to a manageable level through the adoption event, the policy will end.

He also told CNN, "We will not ask what people who take the goats plan to do with them," but expressed hope that "(those who adopt) will properly domesticate the goats rather than simply eating them."

The village's herd of about 600 goats reportedly started from a pair brought by a resident about 20 years ago. However, over time, the population has grown beyond what humans can manage and has even become feral.

The goat herd is considered one of the island's tourist attractions, but due to the explosive increase in their numbers, they have become bolder and are reported to be invading gardens and houses beyond their natural habitat.