If you have visited a coastal town over the last few years, you’ll have noticed that seagulls are getting cheekier and cheekier. They’re not afraid of humans and are stealing any food they can get their claws on – even if that food is right in your hands. A British food truck is now offering a special “seagull insurance” to make sure the food you order will actually end up in your stomach.
Most seagulls – a generic term for different species such as herring, black-backed and common gulls – aren’t scavenging just for the fun of it. The reason why the birds aren’t scared of approaching humans any longer and why they are stealing our food is much grimmer. Because of habitat loss, an ecosystem that is suffering from climate change and diminishing fish resources, the animals aren’t capable of finding enough food in the wild and are therefore turning into scavengers. Their changing behaviour is, overall, seen as a sign of adaptability and thus intelligence.
Many towns are now warning tourists not to feed the gulls, as this might encourage their sometimes aggressive behaviour. In the meantime, however, Hawkins BBQ food van, a food truck located on the Isle of Man, allows customers to get their seagull insurance for just 1 pound extra on top of what they’re paying for their meal. If a seagull ends up stealing their food, they get a new meal at no extra cost.
“I think it’s fair to say that many on the island have had one or two (traumatic) experiences with the islands enthusiastic seagulls – whether it’s being swooped on walking down Strand Street or attacked eating ice cream/gelato, we might have something for you”, the food truck’s owner wrote in a Facebook post.
The establishment’s owners go on explaining what the insurance covers, exactly, and what will be done with the proceeds of the insurance fund: “Introducing the island’s first Manx Seagull Insurance! You can now purchase ‘seagull insurance’ for only £1, which means you get the replacement meal on the house. We will also be donating all proceeds of this ‘policy’ to Manx Wildlife Trust, who work tirelessly to protect the island’s wildlife, including those pesky gulls. Make sure you ask us for the protection the next time you visit and enjoy a delicious BBQ meal, stress free.”
