Animal lovers give helping hand to abandoned baby seaguls

A big-hearted group of animal lovers have been giving a helping hand to cute baby seagulls that have been abandoned by their parents in a British seaside resort.

The Gull Guardians, as their known, are a small collective that saves and raises the plucky little chicks before they’re able to fly, when they reach eight to ten weeks old.

The group was formed by Brambles Wildlife Rescue, in Blackpool, Lancs., following a surge in reports of abandoned young gulls during the summer months.

And now, eight volunteers regularly welcome the orphaned seabirds into their back gardens, where they have access to food and paddling pools.

The group’s founder, Mel Greenhalgh, said that despite her team’s effort, it was still a struggle to deal with the sheer number of pleas for help.

She said: “Baby gull season is upon is on the Fylde Coast. Our little rescue has been receiving up to 25 messages a day just about baby gulls alone.

"As a small voluntary rescue, we can’t cope alone with all the requests for help for baby gulls during the summer, there are hundreds of them, and most don’t need the help of a rescue as they aren’t injured or ill.

“Most of these babies just need kind-hearted people in the town to take them under their wing for a couple of months and give them a chance at life they wouldn’t have without them.

"We all need to pull together as a town to help them.”

Each Gull Guardian houses their young chicks in sheds or garages at night and lets them out to roam in their secure gardens during the day.

Clare Yates, 38, currently looking after two chicks - Ferngully and Jemima - said that while seagulls aren't often considered “cute”, they still need assistance.