Baby gulls jump from scalding hot roof

The extreme heat this month has been unbearable - especially for our most vulnerable wild neighbours…

On the rooftop of an industrial building not far from Tommy Thompson park nested a colony of ring-billed gulls. There were hundreds of them, which meant hundreds more tiny babies who hatched just as temperatures hit 30ºC or more. The scorching sun on the unsheltered roof was intolerable for the young gulls who couldn’t yet fly, and many were afflicted with heat exhaustion, dehydration and even burned feet. The only way for them to escape was to jump…

Those lucky enough to survive the fall suffered wounds, head trauma, and even broken bones. But thanks to the building’s proactive facilities manager, who contacted TWC very early on, the Rescue Team and volunteers were ready to help as many as possible - over 150 baby gulls so far!

A big THANK YOU to volunteers Joanne, Kathy, Anthony, Steve, and David, and all those who’ve donated to help with the rescue effort. Watch the difference you’re making for these vulnerable babies.