**Outrage as Disturbing Seagull “Trend” Sees Birds Deliberately Lured into Traffic in North Wales**
A deeply troubling practice is causing alarm among wildlife advocates and local communities along the North Wales coast. Reports have surfaced indicating that individuals are purposefully scattering food onto roads, enticing seagulls to land and unwittingly venture into traffic, where they are struck by vehicles. The emerging phenomenon, described by some as a “sick trend”, has left bird welfare charities and enthusiasts appalled, as incidences appear to be rising.
The Foundation for Feathered Friends (FFF), a Caernarfon-based animal welfare organisation, has sounded the alarm after documenting numerous cases in which seagulls have been enticed onto busy carriageways by food intentionally thrown into their path. According to FFF founder Denise Theophilus, this cruelty has been observed not only among younger individuals but allegedly adults as well.
“We support feeding wild birds, particularly gulls, who are often in poor condition when they arrive in our seaside towns,” Theophilus explained. “But putting them in direct danger by luring them into oncoming traffic is not only irresponsible, it’s inhumane.” The longstanding conservationist expressed her dismay at witnessing such acts, questioning how anyone could intentionally endanger the birds for entertainment.
Reports have emerged from numerous coastal locations, including Abergele, Prestatyn, Rhyl, and Llandudno. In these towns, FFF volunteers have seen a marked uptick in occasions where food appears to have been deliberately scattered on roads near high-traffic areas, such as outside schools and in retail car parks. North Wales Wild Bird Care, a sister organisation, has also been treating more injured gulls, suggesting the problem stretches across the region.
One incident in Rhyl was particularly distressing for local volunteers. Food was deliberately placed on a street, resulting in three herring gulls being fatally struck by passing cars. Their bodies were found close to the food, with a fourth bird succumbing to injuries soon after. Such events, the charity argues, point strongly towards deliberate malice rather than mere carelessness.
Further accounts suggest that this cruel behaviour is sometimes met with laughter from onlookers. In Llandudno, a volunteer reportedly witnessed a group of youths throwing food onto the road, then standing back to watch the resulting chaos. The event highlights a worrying shift in attitudes toward urban wildlife, as social media videos also reveal clips of birds being baited onto streets.
Littering, too, is compounding the risks. Discarded food packaging, whether dropped by accident or windblown from bins, often draws gulls to hazardous locations. Wildlife groups stress that while not all incidents are intentional, the deliberate placement of food on the road to see birds endangered is a different matter altogether.
Online reactions to this emerging trend have been overwhelmingly negative. Bird lovers have described the practice as “shameful” and “utterly disgraceful”. Some local residents also warn that a minority of drivers intentionally attempt to hit gulls, further placing the protected species at risk. One man recounted witnessing motorists seemingly altering their course to target gulls on the road.
Herring gulls, commonly associated with UK seaside towns, are currently listed as a “Red List” species, highlighting their need for urgent conservation action. They are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it illegal to intentionally harm them or any other wild bird except under licensed circumstances.
The RSPCA, meanwhile, has urged the public to be mindful of how they dispose of food waste, as discarded edibles can inadvertently draw gulls into perilous situations. “Gulls can get a bad reputation in coastal towns, but they are simply trying to survive,” an RSPCA spokesperson stressed. “They deserve our kindness and legal protection. People must remember that harming wild birds is not just cruel, it’s a criminal offence.”
As the debate continues, wildlife groups are calling for greater public awareness and more robust enforcement of existing conservation laws. They urge anyone witnessing deliberate acts of cruelty against birds to report them to the authorities, reminding the public that compassion and responsibility are essential for coexisting with local wildlife. The challenge ahead will involve not just education and enforcement, but a cultural shift towards respecting even the most familiar of urban creatures.