Damiano Gallo and the park that welcomes the animals that nobody wants anymore: « If they get rid of it as if they were used things »

There are many animals welcomed in Hybleo Faunistic Parkwhich is taking shape in Sicily, in Strada Scala di Gemmazza, in the municipality of Syracuse, 4 km from Floridia, at the foot of the Iblei mountains. Many species hosted, between native and exotic, on an area of ​​70,000 square meters on which a rich local vegetation grows. Here, Damiano Galloconductor and television manufacturer, real estate entrepreneur, known as « the Vip propertymaker », has crowned his great dream: « Giving life to my land to a park that could offer asylum to many animals and enrich my native region to enhance it in its unique identity and project it into the future ».

In fences of various sizes, which reach up to 2,000 square meters more than 50 species of animalsfor a total of 140 specimensare welcomed in total respect for their natural rhythms: Amiantini and Asini donkey of Asinara, Grigentan goats, Sicilian hens, camels, zebras, Birds of Patagonia, Cigni, Ibis, Agricane Menuste, Testuggini, Anitidi, Daini, Struzzi, Nandù, Emù, Tricolor Scoiattoli, Cardilli, Zibetti, Civette, Civette, Dromedaries, Vietnamese pigs, peacocks, pheasants, turkeys, Cirnechi dogs, Akita dogs, Tibetan goats, sheep, beaver and who knows how many still in the future.

The ground requested an action of environmental reclamation Duration three months, since covered by plastic, appliances, waste of all kinds.
From the beginning of May the park has been open to the public, it can be visited, from Monday to Sunday from 9.30 to 18.30, by reservation, but in total respect for flora and fauna.

«My idea was born three years ago from the desire to recover homeless animals – explains Gallo -. I have always loved animals since I was a child, when I spent a lot of time with my maternal grandfather who saved many. I followed his footsteps. This is not a zoo, but a unique reality throughout Sicily, a kind of sanctuary where all animals live in a habitat suitable for their nature and where they can recover that lost dignity».

Gallo tells particular, sad stories, but with a happy ending like that of one ostrich of two meters in height that For 6 years it was closed inside a garage. « Arrived from us he was so excited to see a garden – he underlines – that for 5 hours he continued to catch the land after six years on the concrete, in the dark ». Or even the story of a deer arrived after a Four -day trip closed in a wooden box: that box the monster here in the park as a sort of memorial in memory of the violence of that gesture ».

«The reports of animals in need of a place to stay – tells the TV presenter – I get from people who no longer want to deal with it: With the most disparate excuses they declare they want to free themselves as if they were objects that it is possible to tire of. There are also sheep saved from slaughter and I welcome them here in large spaces ». Many other animals come from circuses or parks where they were no longer respected or even by associations, kennels, cats.

But how do all these species adapt together? « Ours are All animals born in captivity in Italytherefore already used to our climate – explains Gallo -. At their disposal there are always four veterinarians, two for exotic animals, two for domestic ones, and a guardian. To protect them from the weather we also created ad hoc hospitalizations. Today I am happy that this passion of mine and the desire to be able to be useful to animals that seek protection become an incentive for their recovery ».