Tourists Endangering Migratory Seagulls with Junk Food on Mumbai's Versova Bridge

A concerning trend has emerged on Mumbai's Versova bridge over Vasai Creek, where tourists are feeding harmful junk food to migratory seagulls. Wildlife experts warn that feeding processed snacks like namkeen and farsan to these brown-headed seagulls, which migrate from Central Asia, Tibet, and Mongolia, can cause severe digestive issues and potentially death. Dr. Shailesh Pethe, Deputy Commissioner of Animal Husbandry in Mumbai, emphasizes that these piscivorous birds' digestive systems are adapted for high-protein fish diets, not carbohydrate-rich foods. Traffic police are now taking action against vehicles stopping on the bridge, while the Forest Department plans to launch an awareness campaign to address this issue.

Source: Mid-Day