Seagull sterilization: Saint-Malo hunts down food thieves
By the seaside, seagulls sometimes try to steal food from plates. In Saint-Malo, the city has chosen to use egg sterilization to address this problem.
The port city of Saint-Malo has decided to implement a seagull egg sterilization operation to limit their numbers, because these birds have the bad habit of stealing food from tourists, whether on the beach or at restaurant terraces. Restaurateurs also warn their customers to watch out for these exceptional food thieves.
A safe sterilization for seagulls
Saint-Malo has adopted an innovative solution by beginning to sterilize seagull eggs. Agents identify the eggs on rooftops and then use drones to spray rapeseed or sunflower oil on them. “The oil will coat the eggs to block their pores, preventing the embryo from developing,” explains Raphaël Dahan, an engineer and drone pilot. This operation is safe for this protected species.