Nearly 2 dozen seagulls believed intentionally maimed
Nearly two dozen maimed seagulls recovered over the last month on or near Huntington Beach appear to have been wounded intentionally, animal rescue workers said Friday.
The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach has received 22 seagulls since Feb. 5, all suffering from similar suspicious wing breaks. They were harmed so badly, they had to be put down, said center technician Kelly Beavers.
The fractures occurred in the same place, on the birds' right wings. Most were found in Huntington Beach, except for two in Laguna Beach, Beavers said.
"These are healthy birds, and the bones look like they’ve just been grabbed and snapped," Beavers said.
Orange County Animal Control, lifeguards and beachgoers discovered the birds sporadically over a one-month period and alerted the care center.
Two maimed birds were found this week, on Wednesday and Thursday, Beavers said.
A similar incident occurred in the area in 2008, when at least 11 pelicans suffered similar injuries. Only one survived.
Anyone with information about the seagull attacks is asked to call the care center at (714) 347-5587.
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Photo: Southern California seagulls. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times
EDITOR'S PICKS:
No need to get upset, the remaining 50 million seagulls will insure that every available horizontal surface will be covered in bird droppings.
Posted by: Joe | March 04, 2011 at 03:44 PM
Very disturbing , People who harm and kill animals are sick and will harm and kill people this person needs to be found and jailed asap!
Posted by: shadowpark | March 04, 2011 at 04:40 PM
This person is headed for humans next. This is the story of Edmund "Guy" Kemper who began by hurting animals. Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacey, the list is very long.
Posted by: WrathofGod | March 04, 2011 at 04:40 PM
There is no place to fish in Huntington Beach except the pier.
Posted by: bob | March 04, 2011 at 05:30 PM
Seagulls are protected??? why...doesnt seem to be a shortage...Ive seen them as far inland as Moreno Valley...theyre as bad as pigeons....winged rats...
Posted by: nobozos | March 04, 2011 at 05:46 PM