JSPCA PRESS RELEASE

July 2004  

IS SOMEBODY TRYING TO POISON THE SEAGULLS?

The Jersey Police were alerted after a sick Herring Gull that appeared to have been deliberately poisoned was collected by the duty JSPCA Animals' Shelter  Ambulance Driver.

The JSPCA Animals’ Shelter was contacted by a member of the public to collect the ill Herring Gull, which had regurgitated a small parcel of processed ham that had been tied together with black thread and which contained a blue chemical substance.  The Environmental Department was also informed about the incident and they are now looking into this very serious incident. 

Herring Gulls are protected under the Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000, which makes it illegal to intentionally injure or kill any Gull.

Not only was this an extremely dangerous and illegal act with regards the potentially damaging effect to the Seagull population, but how the poison had been prepared and made available for the Gulls to pick up and eat meant that any other animal, such as domestic pet dogs or cats could have eaten the poison, or even a young child.

If anyone has any information that may relate to this poisoning incident or any other suspicious Seagull deaths, please contact the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter.

ENDS