Time for more Gull Rangers, says RSPCA as charity calls for kinder approach to Britain's most misunderstood birds

Britain's first official Gull Ranger has been hailed as a blueprint for the rest of the UK, with the RSPCA urging councils across England and Wales to follow Scotland's lead in helping people live more peacefully alongside one of the nation's most divisive wild animals.

The animal welfare charity says the pioneering role, created to educate the public and reduce conflict between people and gulls, should inspire more coastal towns and cities to adopt positive solutions rather than viewing the birds as a nuisance.

The call forms part of the RSPCA's Summer of Kindness campaign, which encourages people to show greater compassion towards all animals. It also comes as the charity warns of a worrying rise in summer-related animal cruelty through its Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues campaign.

Dr Rebecca Machin, Scientific and Policy Officer for wild animals at the RSPCA, said: "The appointment of a Gull Ranger in Scotland is exactly the kind of positive approach we'd love to see more of across England and Wales.

"Gulls have gained an unfair reputation, and are massively misunderstood. But they are intelligent animals who form strong social bonds with each other. They are simply trying to survive, and deserve to be treated with respect.

"We hope other coastal communities and urban environments across England and Wales will consider similar initiatives, and appoint their own 're-gull-nal ambassador'. Education and understanding are far more effective than simply labelling gulls as pests.

"We know that kind acts, however small, help to create a more compassionate world, and there are so many ways to show kindness towards animals this summer."

The charity points out that gulls are protected wild birds and that several species are facing significant conservation pressures, despite often being portrayed negatively.

To help reduce clashes with the birds, the RSPCA is encouraging people to dispose of litter responsibly, avoid feeding gulls unintentionally and give nesting birds the space they need during the breeding season.

Animal lovers are also being invited to become RSPCA Wildlife Friends through the charity's volunteering scheme, carrying out simple actions in their local communities that benefit wildlife while allowing frontline inspectors and officers to spend more time tackling cruelty and neglect.