Hysterics as Woman Is Attacked by Seagull at the Mall: 'Worst Nightmare'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
An ordinary trip to the mall turned into a full-blown chase scene when a seagull set his eyes on a young woman and chased her around menacingly.
In a viral TikTok video shared on Monday under the username @leah_melby, the woman can be seen sprinting through a car park, gasping as she races for her life, while a seagull hovers above her, ready to attack. After some very tense moments, she finally makes it to safety inside a store, leaving behind the angry bird.
The British Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) says that there is actually no such thing as a seagull, just different types of gull, which don't necessarily all live by the sea.
The most-commonly spotted gull species along beaches include herring gulls, lesser black gulls, and great black-backed gulls. Each species has distinctive features.
While gulls are typically associated with coastal areas, many also reside inland for parts of the year. They are often seen in flocks in open spaces such as parks, sport grounds, farmlands, and landfill sites.
Cities provide them with suitable nesting spots on rooftops, and offer a continuous supply of food, with fewer natural predators, making it a very attractive habitat for gulls.
To prevent gulls from nesting on rooftops, it is recommended to take precautions during the winter, before the birds begin to settle, and to steer clear from chicks and nests. If close contact is unavoidable, then hold an umbrella open as a deterrent.
Stock image: A seagull walks through a park.
Stock image: A seagull walks through a park.
getty images
The video quickly went viral on social media and has so far received over 5.2 million views and more than 1 million likes on the platform.
One user, Maja, commented: "The search being 'seagull attacks Sweden' like? Ehh the whole country? How does it do that?"
Neon said: "What the hell is wrong with white women and seagull beef."
Moon The Bunny added: "Welcome to Canada, Folks. In Ontario you can befriend Seagulls so this doesn't happen, I can proudly say that growing up I made friends with a lot of seagulls, which they in turn attacked people around me."
Newsweek reached out to @leah_melby for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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