After establishing a firm beachhead on terra firma, seagull kill squads are securing the shallow waters surrounding their domain.
The latest strike took place near the shoreline around Fenit, in Co. Kerry, last week.
In this occasion, a great black-backed gull flying on an air superiority mission spotted a man swimming in the sea and swooped down for the kill. The swimmer bravely fought off the bird, but the beast managed to peck a chunk out of his hand, and reportedly came back for a second taste.
After the marauding animal staged an strategic retreat to its stronghold, the swimmer came ashore, where lifeguards advised him to seek medical treatment for his wounds. It is understood the man received tetanus shots as a precautionary measure.
Brendan O’Connor, Water Safety Officer with Kerry County Council, reportedly said that he’s never witnessed such aggressive behavior in his 40 years of beachside service.
Seagull armies have now established a firm foothold on Kerry shores and are moving further inland, where they have pecked two ewes to death and managed to steal a mobile phone.