In Lyme Regis, Dorset, a young Swedish tourist found herself in a hospital after a bold seagull tried to steal her croissant.
As the bird swooped in, it managed to snatch the croissant and accidentally cut her hand with its beak, leading her to require a tetanus shot.
This incident is just one of many recent seagull attacks in the seaside town.
Local residents and visitors have been reporting a surge in seagull-related thefts. Deb Morrison witnessed a seagull following a woman from a bakery and stealing her cake.
Another visitor, Matthew Lawrence, shared his frustration, stating, “In Lyme Regis, the seagull is king. They stole two ice creams from us yesterday.” Gareth Evans also fell victim to the gulls, losing his sausage right after buying it.
The Lyme Regis Town Council has been actively trying to manage the seagull problem.
They have implemented various measures, such as installing gull-proof bins, using drones, and even employing bird handlers with hawks and eagles to scare the birds away.
Additionally, the town has an anti-social behavior Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) that imposes a £100 fine on anyone caught feeding the gulls.
Legal Protection for Gulls
Despite the nuisance they cause, seagulls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it illegal to harm them. In 2022, the police launched an investigation after a tourist attacked a seagull with a cricket bat in frustration.
The Town Council has also taken steps to educate the public, issuing advice leaflets and installing warning signs about seagull thieves.
The seagull problem is not unique to Lyme Regis. Other Dorset seaside towns, like Bournemouth and Weymouth, have also faced similar issues. In Bournemouth, a bird nicknamed Greg the Gull is notorious for stealing food outside a Greggs eatery.
Meanwhile, in Weymouth, a woman successfully fought off eight gulls that attempted to steal her sandwich.
The RSPCA explains that seagulls often snatch food because they’ve learned this behavior from being fed by the public. They advise against feeding gulls and suggest using resealable food containers to prevent theft.
Gulls can become particularly aggressive during breeding season as they protect their chicks.
This behavior typically subsides once the chicks have grown and can fend for themselves.
In summary, while seagulls are a protected species and play a role in the ecosystem, their interactions with humans, especially in coastal towns like Lyme Regis, can lead to challenging situations.
Public education and proper waste management are key to mitigating these issues.
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