The gull was captured by Environment staff earlier this week and kept at the JSPCA – a move which sparked outrage among many Islanders who said that the bird’s unusual behaviour was just a sign of him being friendly and playful.

Gulliver, who was hand-reared, has been responsible for pinching several hats and dog toys on the beach and even interrupted a wedding photoshoot.

Initial plans to kill the bird – outlined by an Environment Department official last week – caused outrage among Islanders, leading to a petition to save the animal and several messages on social media to the States from naturalist Chris Packham.

The department later performed a U-turn on their plans to kill Gulliver and he has since been released at the reef, which is about nine miles south of Jersey.