Sardinia's Effetto Palla nonprofit plans future after wildlife fire and opera

The nonprofit Effetto Palla, founded ten years ago in Sardinia after a pit‑bull‑type dog named Palla became a social‑media star, supports animals affected by the 2021 Montiferru wildfire and other incidents. The organization has carried out aid projects across Italy and abroad.

The story of a rescued fox, Metà, left paraplegic by the blaze, is being presented in the opera “L’incendio del bosco grande” at the Tharros archaeological site in Oristano. The production features music by Lorenzo Subrizi, narration by Maria Alice Tagliavini, video by Fabio Bozzetto, and is backed by Fondazione Fossano Musica and the Nuova Orchestra della Sardegna. Monica Pais, surgeon at Clinica Veterinaria Duemari and author of a book on Metà, said the nonprofit will continue to expand its projects in music, art and animal welfare after the recent death of Palla in June.