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The South West's seagull menace

There has been an explosion in the seagull population this summer - with increasing reports of birds grabbing food from people's hands and attacking pets and even people.

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RSPB call on government to hold National Gull Summit

It's thought the gulls are behaving aggressively because they are trying to protect their young. Credit: ITV News

RSPB have written to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) proposing a National Gull Summit to tackle the issue.

The news comes after David Cameron recently said a "big conversation" was needed about the threat from aggressive birds.

The Prime Minister spoke out after two attacks in Cornwall left a pet tortoise and a Yorkshire terrier dead.

But the RSPB believe the summit must also look at the wider issues of the plight facing many of these birds:

Any such conversation must be based on the very best evidence – otherwise it’s likely to be dominated by anecdote and guided by those who shout loudest. The RSPB would also add that it should look at the issue in the ‘round; on the wider issue of the plight of these birds across the board and not simply about “how we rid ourselves of the menace”.

There’s so much we need to learn about these birds, and this is a real opportunity to look at how we can live comfortably with our wild companions, and do the best for both birds and people.

– RSPB
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The South West's seagull menace

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