A seagull has been hanging out in the aisles of a branch of Asda after becoming stuck in the store. The bird entered the Bedminster store two weeks ago and has decided not to leave.
Shop staff and a specialist team have been spending every night since early June trying to remove the seagull from the building but so far have failed. A local bird welfare group has now asked if they can go in and try to catch the animal. They say the seagull may be struggling, according to BristolLive.
The seagull walked into the store, on Bedminster Parade, in the first week of June. Since then it has remained high in the rafters of the store and has been difficult to remove as the branch is one of the biggest in the country.
It became a star on social media when pictures taken on June 8 were shared online. They showed the seagull swooping low through the freezer aisle and perched high in the rafters.
A deep clean and pest control team have been hired by Asda to get rid of the bird. After the store closes at 10pm the team get to work, leaving the doors open and guarded while the team try to coax the bird down.
Tactics to catch the bird have included arming staff with nets, leaving a trail of crisps and breadcrumbs and even deploying a cherry picker. But every time anyone gets near the bird it simply flies off to another part of the store.
The Foundation For Feathered Friends has asked Asda if they can go in and rescue the bird. The organisation's founder, Denise Theophilus said: “Gulls are actually protected by law and are a red-listed species for conversation. The gull has found her way in by accident and rescuers are anxious to trap her and release her before she dies. There is a limited time that they can survive without food and water and she is scared by the alien noises."
Amandine Cook, a local resident who shops in the store, said the bird is not looking well. She said: "I saw her last night. She went on the floor for a bit but was spooked by customers.
"She is not in a great shape, she seems exhausted. The staff said she has lost loads of weight."
A spokesperson for Asda said: "Our team at Asda Bedminster have attempted to safely remove the bird and to ensure that the store remains clean and tidy throughout. Despite their best efforts, the seagull remains in store and we are now working with specialist contractors to remove the bird."
