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Shouting Human Voices Deter Seagulls from Stealing Food

11/12/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Seagulls can be deterred from stealing food by the tone of human voices, according to researchers at the University of Exeter.
In a Cornwall study, 61 gulls reacted more to a shouting male voice than to a calm voice.
Shouting caused gulls to fly away.
Dr. Neeltje Boogert of the University of Exeter highlights non-violent methods and the need to protect gulls given their conservation status.

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Story summary

Seagulls can be deterred from stealing food by the tone of human voices, according to researchers at the University of Exeter.
In a Cornwall study, 61 gulls reacted more to a shouting male voice than to a calm voice.
Shouting caused gulls to fly away.
Dr. Neeltje Boogert of the University of Exeter highlights non-violent methods and the need to protect gulls given their conservation status.