Denmark
The Baltic Sea community of Sonderburg releases seagulls for shooting
Loud, big and, above all, voracious: many visitors to the Baltic Sea have had one or two unpleasant experiences with seagulls.
© Stefan Sauer / DPA
Sonderburg on the Flensburg Fjord has a problem with seagulls. Now the birds, which are part of a Baltic Sea vacation for many tourists, are even supposed to be shot.
Seagulls have become a nuisance
The region has been struggling with seagulls for a long time. People complained about noise, disruptions and unpleasant encounters, particularly in the city center of the coastal region. According to the information, the birds are increasingly venturing further into built-up areas because of dwindling food to look for food in garbage cans, snatch food from plates or steal young and eggs from small birds.
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As of February 1st, seagulls have already been released for shooting. In addition, according to the information, it will be allowed to destroy eggs and nests from April to the end of July and to shoot young herring gulls from mid-April to the end of August. Herring gulls can live for around 30 years.
Sonderburg follows with Aalborg being shot down
According to the Danish broadcaster DR, seagulls have been shot down in the city center of the nearby city of Aalborg for 20 years. The shooting had no noticeable effect. They always returned. In 2026, funding for the city hunter is expected to be removed from the municipality’s budget.