Memorandum of Understanding
Bring back to the island of Pantelleria The Sicilian Rock Partridge, a bird belonging to a wild species protected at both the national and European levels. This is the objective of the memorandum of understanding signed by the Regional Councilor for Agriculture, Luca Sammartino, and the Director General of the Department of Rural Development, Alberto Pulizzi, and the Experimental Zootechnical Institute for Sicily (ISZS), the Municipality, and the island's National Park.
Endemic subspecies
The Sicilian Rock Partridge is a subspecies endemic to the island, considered one of the most representative symbols of Sicilian wildlife. Smaller than the mainland rock partridge, it has a compact build, rounded wings, and sturdy legs suited to rocky and uneven terrain. Its plumage features ash-gray tones on the back, a pale chest, and distinctive flanks barred with black, chestnut, and white. The beak and eye rims are reddish.
What will happen in the next few years
The five-year agreement aims to support Pantelleria National Park in its project to repopulate the island with Sicilian rock partridges. This will involve animals raised at the Iszs Public Wildlife Reproduction and Distribution Center, a regional center of excellence dedicated to the genetic conservation of native species.
Ultimate goal
To this end, the Department of Rural Development will provide specialized personnel and dedicated equipment, ensuring the conditions necessary for the operation's success. The ultimate goal is to restore a stable and viable population of this bird, a symbol of Sicilian biodiversity, to Pantelleria, thus contributing to rebalancing the island's ecosystem and strengthening active protection measures at the European level (source: Sicilian Region).
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