Proliferation to be countered
The first game collection center in Sicily will be built in Petralia Sottana and will be inaugurated by the end of the month. The date of the highly anticipated ribbon cutting of the innovative storage point, strongly desired by theMadonie Park Authority, which will become the focus of the ungulates captured as part of the culling plan, to counter excessive proliferation and the resulting damage to crops and biodiversity. The refrigeration systems have already been completed, as well as the electrical systems. “We will convert a problem into a resource – underlines the commissioner of the Madonie Park Authority Salvatore Caltagirone – close the supply chain by strengthening the Madonie brand by distributing local meat on a national scale. The Park is about to complete a project that will place our region in an excellent and advanced dimension in the management of the ungulate emergency".
The carcasses of ungulates
In fact, the list of subjects who, having responded to the specific call, will be able to proceed with the collection of the culled animals to enhance their use is constantly being updated. The interested economic operators (butchers, restaurants, holiday farms, game processing centers) will then be able to proceed with the acquisition of ungulate carcasses which will allow the meat to be used for food purposes. The center will also constitute a tool for promoting Madonie meats. Crucial hub, therefore, for the management plan for the control of pigs and fallow deer within the Madonie Park territory. Selective control activities and capture activities through manhole covers (suid cages) will find a fundamental outlet in the revolutionary collection unit.
The means available
“Process that creates the conditions to increase capture – continues Caltagirone – a fundamental sequence that will allow the disposal of countless culled animals. We have acquired new cages, vehicles and mobile cells that will allow us to better carry out the activity of the selector controllers which, among other things, we are trying to increase through specific training courses. Food education content in schools is also essential so that our children can be taught how to use game meat". Protecting the ecosystem of the Madonie Park is the main objective: “The biodiversity of the Park must be safeguarded at all costs – concludes Caltagirone – a reduction in wildlife is necessary to safeguard the biological diversity of our wonderful landscape”.