The do’s and don'ts of rescuing an injured seagull in the middle of a busy roadway.

Agata Popęda here sharing—per my colleagues’ request—what happened on Tuesday. It was about 10am and I was driving to the Monterey County Weekly headquarters, along Fremont Boulevard in Seaside, when I saw a seagull marching south along with heavy traffic. It had a broken wing and while it repeatedly tried to fly, the flying was just not happening.

My heart started to beat very fast; I felt I needed to do something. Since I was only a couple of blocks from work, I parked at our building and ran up to the office, screaming and crying, seeking my colleagues’ help and advice. 

“Can you catch it and bring it to us?” asked an employee of Seaside Animal Control.

“I will,” I promised, a bit helplessly, and disconnected. Immediately I recruited Features Editor Dave Faries, a known animal lover; we emptied a plastic trash can and ran to the rescue. 

Capturing a seagull in heavy traffic is not an easy task, I learned when running frantically, while the seagull was running away from me, receiving more hits from cars and breaking my heart. Finally I stopped traffic completely but even that didn’t help—I captured the injured seagull only after it encountered a dead end by the AutoZone in Seaside. 

I thought I succeeded. Still, capturing a seagull and holding it when it doesn’t want to be held are two different things. I took it in my arms only to be attacked by a sharp yellow beak. I have beak scratches all over my face. Then Faries—whose hand got bitten—spotted a fire truck parked by 7-Eleven. 

The ending was Hollywood-like. The fireman told us that a Seaside Animal Control officer was parked right around the corner so we carried the bird right to them. The professionals that they are, they know what to do and how to hold a seagull. For example, a trash can is a stupid idea. The way to do it is with a blanket, so you can immobilize the powerful wings. The animal control official had a pink blankie for the seagull and took it to safety. We drove to work, happily where our colleagues tended to our wounds with alcohol and other medications.

Now, why am I telling you this story? Because I’m childishly proud of myself? Sure. But also to advise readers what to do in such a situation. Birds don’t carry rabies, by the way, but consider contacting your doctor for appropriate shots. Yes, you are allowed to pick up the animal yourself—that was my question when I first spotted the seagull—and take it straight to the nearby animal control, which each city has.

Also, I’m aware that I’m a relative newcomer to the community. I bet that many of you guys have similar stories and experiences with wild animals. Do you have any advice you would like to share? After all, the wildlife is one of the reasons why so many of us love this area. Below are some helpful contacts.

If you find injured wildlife, call the SPCA, the only licensed wildlife rehabilitation center in the county, at 264-5427.

Hitchcock Road Animal Services, 160 Hitchcock Road, Salinas, 769-8850. For injured or aggressive animals, or loose livestock, call dispatch at 755-5111. To reach Field Services, call 769-8856. 

For large wildlife, such as bears and mountain lions, call the Department of Fish and Wildlife at (916) 653-6420.

To report dead animals on roadways in unincorporated Monterey County, call Public Works at 755-4800.

Newsletter

Risking life and limb for an injured seagull. Costly drama for Hartnell board. In remembrance.