The RSPCA is appealing for information after a gull was found with its wings deliberately glued to a cardboard box in a Cardiff park.
Discovery in Moorland Park
The adult bird was discovered by a member of the public walking her dog in Moorland Park, Splott, on Tuesday, August 10. The gull was trapped inside a small cardboard box, with both wings glued flat and pieces of cardboard and paper stuck to its body.
The woman took the bird to a nearby vet after initially struggling to remove the material. The gull is now recovering but remains unable to fly.
RSPCA investigation
The RSPCA believes the bird was deliberately targeted and is investigating how it came to be in such a condition. Animal Rescue Officer Chelsea Davies said: “The circumstances in which this gull was found are extremely concerning and it seems someone has gone to some lengths to cause this bird to suffer.”
She added that the member of the public had acted quickly and urged anyone with information to come forward.
Rise in bird cruelty reports
The appeal comes as the RSPCA warns of a rise in reports of deliberate cruelty towards birds. The charity received 359 reports involving wild birds during July and August 2025 - almost twice the 179 reports recorded during the same period in 2024 and the highest summer total in five years.
So far this year, the RSPCA has received 474 reports involving cruelty towards wild birds, with gulls among the species commonly targeted. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the RSPCA Inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018, quoting reference 01876882.
