Mouflon from Isola del Giglio: rare DNA discovered

A scientific study just revealed a discovery about the genetics of mouflon from the island of Giglio. A study that has shown thatgenetic uniqueness of this species that the Tuscan Archipelago Park Authority has thinned out. A thinning through a European project called LIFE LetsGo Giglio, financed for 1.6 million euros. The study suggests that lily mouflons represent a group of animals that are now extinct elsewhere.

The uniqueness of this core of Giglio mouflons represents a very important genetic resource, now lost elsewhere, and would deserve a high priority for conservation.

Professor Marco Masseti, zoologist and one of the authors of the study

Part of the millions of euros that were given as funding was allocated to the killing of the several dozen animals that live on the island. The culls started in November 2021, but were halted for testing of non-lethal methods before proceeding to cull. The mouflons that survive, on the other hand, are sterilized, compromising the ability to keep the mouflon genetic heritage of the rare specimen.

This genetic analysis of the mouflons not only undermines the scientific basis of the mouflon eradication project, but highlights the superficiality with which the Park Authority and the European institutions manage public funds intended to protect biodiversity. Not only should the eradication project be stopped immediately, a parliamentary inquiry should be launched to understand how it is possible that we have twice risked eradicating rare species, but in light of the facts, we call for the immediate resignation by the President of the Park Authority, Giampiero Sammuri, and that any specimens already deported will be returned to the island at the park’s expense and protected as ancestral and precious genetic heritage.

Sara d’Angelo, president of the Dog Life association and coordinator of the network of free animal sanctuaries in Italy

Environment, genetic study: rare DNA for the Giglio mouflon (askanews.it)