Let’s be honest, when you first
think of the Sea Gull, you do not expect for it to be a protected species. It
seems as though the birds are literally everywhere and have no problem
surviving. However, it turns out some gull species are indeed protected because
they are in need of conservation measures. Herring gulls, who are in the same Genus larus as the California gull, are
protected under the Conservation of Wildlife Law of 2000. Because of this, it
is illegal to injure, kill, or destroy a nest of any gull. The only individuals
who are allowed to remove gulls due to public safety reasons are licensed
officials. Why, you might ask, is this bird protected by this law and on the
UK’s “Red List” if it seems like it is everywhere? Turns out the Herring gull’s
population dropped more than 50 percent in the last three decades, causing it
to be included on the “red list.” Various causes have increased this birds need
to be included on the list, including commercial fishing decline. Because of
the decline in commercial fishing, gulls have had fewer opportunities to catch
small fish as prey, forcing them to find food in other locations.
Because of protections such as
these, what is one to do if they have seagulls and they want them to go away?
The best answer is discouraging behavior. By simply removing possibly food
(closing dumpsters) and blocking nesting sites, it is likely the seagulls will
move on to a different area.
