Sicilgermobank discovering native Sicilian animal breeds
Sicilgermobank is a project of the University of Messina that aims to establish a germplasm bank (semen, eggs, embryos) of Sicilian breeds of domestic animals (horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs) with limited diffusion or at risk of extinction. Knowing and enhancing a breed often means safeguarding the territory, the environment, the economy, culture, traditions, small and precious human communities. It is important to implement a targeted and widespread action to raise awareness on these issues. Children (and adults) during the Mednight will be guided by the researchers of the project to “visit” a cow or a mare (a dummy) and instead will fish inside stickers of Sicilian animals, which they can paste in a small album.
