Two seagulls found dead next to ball bearings in Brighton

It comes after multiple incidents involving catapults and ball bearings used against wildlife in parks around Brighton.

The seagulls were found dead at Queen’s Park in West Drive, Brighton with ball bearings seen next to them.

Brighton and Hove Wildlife Advice and Rescue Service said: “There are some youths there that try and harm the birds. They usually go there very late evening.

"There are also some evil people who have catapults and ball bearings that hang around Preston Park, Preston Manor and Blakers Park who fire at the birds, foxes and squirrels.”

Queen's Park in Brighton. Picture by Barry Walker

The gulls were pictured at 9pm on Wednesday.

However, Sussex Police have not received any reports of the incident.

Trevor Weeks, founder of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service, said: “It does seem a shame that parks which have been gifted to the public for their enjoyment and relaxation are abused along with the wildlife that use them.

“I feel sorry for anyone who feels the need to exert power and cause suffering from another living creature or take its life in this way.

The two dead gulls found in Queen's Park, Brighton

“It does pose the questions of what is missing from their lives to make them feel the need to act in this way.

“A person which acts in this way towards animals is also likely to exert the same aggressive behaviour towards humans later in life or are in existing relationships they are in.

“The use of a ball bearing or air gun to kill a wild bird in a public place like this is illegal and I would urge anyone who witnesses any such incident taking place to call Sussex Police by dialing 999 if they are witnessing the incident unfolding or if after such a incident to dial 101. 

“People can help by taking mobile phone video of anyone behaving in this way too.”

The two ball bearings found next to the gulls

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service have not dealt with any incidents in the park recently.

And Mr Weeks described the pictures as “unusual” in terms of the bearing being found next to the body.

He said similar attacks have seen wildlife with the bearings lodged inside them or have gone straight through rather than being found next to the body.

He added: “Without having a proper examination of the bird, it would be impossible for me to know if the bird was killed by the bearing or some other form of trauma.”

Ball bearings found scattered around St Peter's Church in Preston Park last November

In December last year, The Argus reported on squirrels which were found dead with ball bearings scattered around a church yard in Preston Park, Brighton in November.

Two foxes were also found dead in November at Blakers Park in Brighton, with people suspecting they were killed by catapults and ball bearings.

One woman told The Argus that people in Facebook groups wanted to “increase their dog walking in the area” following the attacks.

She added: “There’s a general feeling of the concern in the community and you can definitely feel it.”

Herring gulls are on the Birds of Conservation Concern 4 (BoCC 4) red list, while nine other species of gull are on the amber list. Picture from Claire Andrews

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) encouraged people to call their helpline if they witnessed anything suspicious.

A spokeswoman said: “We are very concerned to learn about the gulls in Queen’s Park, Brighton which may have been shot and killed with pellets from a slingshot.

“We would urge anyone who has first-hand information or may have witnessed this to please call us on our helpline on 0300 1234 999.”

“Gulls, their eggs and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Intentionally shooting at a gull is very likely to constitute an offence, unless done under licence.”