RSPCA has collected a large number of gulls exhibiting signs of disorientation, confusion and loss of balance

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Gulls in Devon and areas of Dorset have been portraying signs of drunkenness, the RSPCA has said.

The animal welfare charity has collected a large number of gulls exhibiting signs of disorientation, confusion and loss of balance. The first incidents were reported on 21 June.

“We have had a number of these come through over the last couple of weeks. At first the birds look like they have botulism but then, after vomiting, most seem to recover,” said Jo Daniel, an RSPCA inspector.

The charity is urging local alcohol producers, distilleries and breweries to check their waste is secure and that it cannot be accessed by wildlife.

David Couper, an RSPCA vet who has treated a number of gulls at the charity’s West Hatch centre in Taunton, Somerset, said: “Sadly a few of the birds have died but most of them have made good recoveries and have been released after a few days in our care.

“I’d like to urge any local vets who see birds coming in with similar symptoms not to euthanise them but to give them a chance to recover from the effects of the alcohol.”

