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Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Powys County Times
'Monsters' deliberately 'luring' seagulls to their deaths
A CHARITY says a sick trend has seen yobs throw food in front of cars - so seagulls get run over. Pictures show maimed birds scattered across roads after reports they had been deliberately 'lured' to their deaths. Bird lovers say they've been horrified by the brutal trend that involves food being thrown into the road as perpetrators watch on as they swoop down and get hit by unsuspecting drivers. Volunteers at the non-profit organisation Foundation for Feathered Friends (FFF) said there has been a rising number of incidents involving both youths and adults. A spokesperson said: "We've spotted food in the road enticing gulls to swoop in the road. " Gulls are a protected species and are on the Red List for Conservation. "An action like this is a deliberate attempt to make them swoop into the road and be hit by oncoming cars and has become something of a 'trend' in North Wales. "It has been witnessed in Abergele, Prestatyn, Rhyl and Llandudno to name a few areas. "Sometimes parents have been seen encouraging their children to do it. "On one occasion last year, in Rhyl, we witnessed four gulls lying in the road equidistantly with food near them. "Three were dead and we picked up one to try to help her but she did not make it. "We were also given a report of school children in their uniforms near their school, in Prestatyn, throwing food in the road for this purpose. "When we made a complaint to the school we were told they were not on school property and therefore the school were not responsible for their actions. "Youths were witnessed laughing and throwing food in the road in Llandudno. The occasions are many and its us that have to pick up the poor gulls wounded by monsters like these. "For all we know people are doing it in different areas frequently causing injury or death to gulls that we have no idea about." FFF founder Denise Theophilus said the charity was often left to pick up the pieces, after incidents. She added: 'Who in their right mind would deliberately put these birds in danger by making them swoop onto roads to be hit by oncoming cars? 'It's definitely a trend, we're seeing more and more instances of it happening. And it's us that have to pick up the poor gulls wounded by monsters like these.' Details of the incidents left members of the local community shocked. One said: "What a sick trend. Whoever does this is a heartless waste of oxygen."
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Leader Live
'Monsters' deliberately 'luring' seagulls to their deaths
Pictures show maimed birds scattered across roads after reports they had been deliberately 'lured' to their deaths. Bird lovers say they've been horrified by the brutal trend that involves food being thrown into the road as perpetrators watch on as they swoop down and get hit by unsuspecting drivers. Volunteers at the non-profit organisation Foundation for Feathered Friends (FFF) said there has been a rising number of incidents involving both youths and adults. A spokesperson said: "We've spotted food in the road enticing gulls to swoop in the road. "Gulls are a protected species and are on the Red List for Conservation. "An action like this is a deliberate attempt to make them swoop into the road and be hit by oncoming cars and has become something of a 'trend' in North Wales. MORE NEWS "It has been witnessed in Abergele, Prestatyn, Rhyl and Llandudno to name a few areas. "Sometimes parents have been seen encouraging their children to do it. "On one occasion last year, in Rhyl, we witnessed four gulls lying in the road equidistantly with food near them. "Three were dead and we picked up one to try to help her but she did not make it. "We were also given a report of school children in their uniforms near their school, in Prestatyn, throwing food in the road for this purpose. "When we made a complaint to the school we were told they were not on school property and therefore the school were not responsible for their actions. "Youths were witnessed laughing and throwing food in the road in Llandudno. The occasions are many and its us that have to pick up the poor gulls wounded by monsters like these. "For all we know people are doing it in different areas frequently causing injury or death to gulls that we have no idea about." FFF founder Denise Theophilus said the charity was often left to pick up the pieces, after incidents. She added: 'Who in their right mind would deliberately put these birds in danger by making them swoop onto roads to be hit by oncoming cars? 'It's definitely a trend, we're seeing more and more instances of it happening. And it's us that have to pick up the poor gulls wounded by monsters like these.' Details of the incidents left members of the local community shocked. One said: "What a sick trend. Whoever does this is a heartless waste of oxygen." Another said: "What a horrible human being. Who takes joy out of seeing birds suffer in this way."
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Rhyl Journal
'Monsters' deliberately 'luring' seagulls to their deaths
Pictures show maimed birds scattered across roads after reports they had been deliberately 'lured' to their deaths. Bird lovers say they've been horrified by the brutal trend that involves food being thrown into the road as perpetrators watch on as they swoop down and get hit by unsuspecting drivers. Volunteers at the non-profit organisation Foundation for Feathered Friends (FFF) said there has been a rising number of incidents involving both youths and adults. A spokesperson said: "We've spotted food in the road enticing gulls to swoop in the road. "Gulls are a protected species and are on the Red List for Conservation. "An action like this is a deliberate attempt to make them swoop into the road and be hit by oncoming cars and has become something of a 'trend' in North Wales. MORE NEWS "It has been witnessed in Abergele, Prestatyn, Rhyl and Llandudno to name a few areas. "Sometimes parents have been seen encouraging their children to do it. "On one occasion last year, in Rhyl, we witnessed four gulls lying in the road equidistantly with food near them. "Three were dead and we picked up one to try to help her but she did not make it. "We were also given a report of school children in their uniforms near their school, in Prestatyn, throwing food in the road for this purpose. "When we made a complaint to the school we were told they were not on school property and therefore the school were not responsible for their actions. "Youths were witnessed laughing and throwing food in the road in Llandudno. The occasions are many and its us that have to pick up the poor gulls wounded by monsters like these. "For all we know people are doing it in different areas frequently causing injury or death to gulls that we have no idea about." FFF founder Denise Theophilus said the charity was often left to pick up the pieces, after incidents. She added: 'Who in their right mind would deliberately put these birds in danger by making them swoop onto roads to be hit by oncoming cars? 'It's definitely a trend, we're seeing more and more instances of it happening. And it's us that have to pick up the poor gulls wounded by monsters like these.' Details of the incidents left members of the local community shocked. One said: "What a sick trend. Whoever does this is a heartless waste of oxygen." Another said: "What a horrible human being. Who takes joy out of seeing birds suffer in this way."
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Wales Online
'Sick' new seagull trend sees birds deliberately 'enticed onto roads to be hit by cars'
'Sick' new seagull trend sees birds deliberately 'enticed onto roads to be hit by cars' A charity has claimed there is evidence of people throwing food onto roads to watch seagulls swoop down and be hit by vehicles. WARNING: Contains images some people may find distressing Llandudno's Herring Gulls 'all need an ASBO' (Image: Ian Cooper/North Wales Live ) Bird enthusiasts in Wales have been left appalled by a cruel new "trend" that has emerged, as reported by a local charity. The Foundation for Feathered Friends (FFF) in Caernarfon claims there is increasing evidence of individuals deliberately luring seagulls into traffic by scattering food on the roads, only to watch the birds get struck by passing vehicles. The FFF volunteers have noted a worrying rise in such incidents along the North Wales coastline, with reports suggesting not just youths, but adults too are engaging in this harmful activity. Denise Theophilus, the founder of FFF, said: "We totally support the feeding of wild birds, especially gulls," and "Often they are emaciated when they arrive in coastal communities. But this is not the right way to do it." For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here She continued: "Who in their right mind would deliberately put these birds in danger by making them swoop onto roads to be hit by oncoming cars? "We are aware that children will get up to all kinds of mischief – but adults doing this must have some kind of psychiatric issue. "It's definitely a trend, we're seeing more and more instances of it happening. And it's us that have to pick up the poor gulls wounded by monsters like these." Denise highlighted that volunteers have observed such behaviour in various locations including Abergele, Prestatyn, Rhyl, and Llandudno, reports North Wales Live. With the number of injured birds being cared for by North Wales Wild Bird Care, the sister organisation to FFF, she suspects that this disturbing practice is likely occurring in other areas as well. Denise, a local resident, reported an alarming incident where food was deliberately placed on a street in Rhyl, leading to the death of three gulls hit by cars. Two gulls lie dead next to food that was accidentally or deliberately dropped on the road (Image: Cheryl Jones/Foundation for Feathered Friends ) The birds were found "equidistantly" near the food, with a fourth gull later succumbing to its injuries. She also recalled another disturbing episode involving a group of youths in Llandudno. "One of our volunteers was driving through Llandudno when she saw a group of youths throwing food onto a road," she said. "They were laughing as they watched cars come towards the gulls. She wanted to go back and disperse the kids but her husband didn't want to get involved." Litter blown by the wind is another factor contributing to the perilous situation for gulls on busy roads. Social media videos have also highlighted the dangers posed by carelessly discarded food cartons. However, there's online evidence of clips showing gulls being deliberately lured onto roads. Three gulls lie dead next in Rhyl. Rehab volunteers claimed each were found next to food 'deliberately placed on the road' (Image: Jane Taylor/Foundation for Feathered Friends ) Denise claims such practices have been observed outside schools and in retail car parks. When images were shared online, bird lovers were left "sickened" by the claims. One person labelled the practice "shameful and inhuman", while another deemed it "utterly disgraceful". A man claimed some motorists deliberately target gulls. He said: "I've seen a few birds, mainly gulls, laying in the road that have been run over on purpose." Herring gulls are a protected species and are on the Red List for Conservation. The RSPCA has urged people to be mindful when disposing of edible litter. Gulls will themselves scatter food waste on roads by ripping open bin bags (Image: Georgina Ford ) A spokesperson stated: "Gulls can get a bad rap especially in seaside towns, and sadly are thought of by some as a pest. "However, they are simply wild animals trying to survive in their surroundings, and deserve our kindness and respect. "It's important for people to remember that they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and it is illegal to intentionally harm any wild bird, except under licence." Article continues below The RSPCA offers guidance on how to live in harmony with gulls:.
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- North Wales Live
Maimed seagulls scattered across roads as brutal 'trend' emerges in North Wales
Bird lovers have been left horrified by a brutal new 'trend' highlighted by a charity in North Wales. Campaigners claim they have mounting evidence people are throwing food onto roads and watching on as hungry seagulls swoop down to get hit by vehicles. Volunteers working for the Caernarfon -based Foundation for Feathered Friends (FFF) are reporting a rising number of apparent incidents on the North Wales coast. While some are said to involve youths, the charity claimed adults have also been seen enticing gulls onto busy roads. FFF founder Denise Theophilus said the charity was often left to pick up the pieces. 'We totally support the feeding of wild birds, especially gulls,' she said. 'Often they are emaciated when they arrive in coastal communities. But this is not the right way to do it. 'Who in their right mind would deliberately put these birds in danger by making them swoop onto roads to be hit by oncoming cars? We are aware that children will get up to all kinds of mischief – but adults doing this must have some kind of psychiatric issue. 'It's definitely a trend, we're seeing more and more instances of it happening. And it's us that have to pick up the poor gulls wounded by monsters like these.' According to Denise, volunteers have reported examples from Abergele, Prestatyn, Rhyl and Llandudno. Given the number of casualties being treated by North Wales Wild Bird Care, FFF's sister group, she believes it is probably happening elsewhere. In one instance, Denise claimed food had been carefully laid out on a street in Rhyl. She said three car-hit gulls were found lying dead 'equidistantly' near the food. A fourth was still alive but later died. 'One of our volunteers was driving through Llandudno when she saw a group of youths throwing food onto a road,' she said. 'They were laughing as they watched cars come towards the gulls. She wanted to go back and disperse the kids but her husband didn't want to get involved.' Wind-blown litter is another reason why gulls dice with death on busy roads – social media videos have highlighted the dangers of carelessly discarded food cartons. However there's little online evidence of gratuitous clips showing gulls being deliberately enticed onto roads. Denise claimed the practice has been witnessed outside schools and in retail car parks. When images were shared online, bird lovers were left 'sickened' by the claims. One person called the practice 'shameful and inhuman', another said it was 'utterly disgraceful'. A man claimed some motorists deliberately target gulls. He said: 'I've seen a few birds, mainly gulls, laying in the road that have been run over on purpose." Herring gulls are a protected species and are on the Red List for Conservation. The RSPCA said people need to be careful when disposing of edible litter. A spokesperson said: 'Gulls can get a bad rap especially in seaside towns, and sadly are thought of by some as a pest. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox 'However, they are simply wild animals trying to survive in their surroundings, and deserve our kindness and respect. It's important for people to remember that they are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and it is illegal to intentionally harm any wild bird, except under licence.' Learning to live with gulls The RSPCA gives the following advice on living in harmony with gulls: In some seaside towns where people have fed gulls, they have learned to snatch food. Try to keep food to yourself but don't blame them if they can't tell the difference between scraps willingly offered and your bag of chips. Dispose of edible litter carefully – put it in gull-proof litter bins. Plastic bags left in the street are an open invitation for gulls to investigate. Gulls that swoop suddenly on people or pets are usually trying to protect chicks that have got out of the nest. If you see a gull chick leave it alone – its parents can look after it better than you. Gulls make the most noise between May and July when they are breeding. If gulls on your roof disturb you, or you are worried they may block a gas flue, you can prevent them from nesting there in future. Your local environmental health department or pest control company should be able to tell you about the devices available. It's illegal to disturb wild birds' nests and eggs, except under licence. Find out what's happening near you
