People at an Asda store in the UK have been seeing a familiar face each time they shop, as a seagull refuses to leave the supermarket for the last two weeks despite attempts from staff and pest control.
Staff members and a specialist team the store brought in to assist have been trying in vain for weeks once the store closes to get the bird out, Bristol Live reports.
A local bird welfare group has offered to do it themselves, as they fear the bird may be struggling.
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It flew in through the doors of the store on Bedminster Parade at the beginning of June, and ever since, has become quite the feature, sitting above the aisles in the rafters of the store, one of Asda’s biggest in the country.
People first began posting images of the bird to social media on June 8. One showed it swooping low along the freezer aisle, while others showed it perched high above the shoppers.
A deep-cleaning and pest control team had been called and ever since then, a two-week long mission has been playing out.
Attempts to move the seagull along led to trails of crisps and bread being laid out, cherry-pickers being deployed and staff with nets have been seen, but the bird has proved far too clever so far.
The situation is concerning a rescue organisation called the Foundation For Feathered Friends. Its founder Denise Theophilus said she has asked Asda if it would be ok for her team to have a go at getting it out - she’s worried it will die in there.
Denise said: "Gulls are actually protected by law and are on the red listed species for conversation. The gull has found her way in by accident and rescuers are anxious to trap her and release her before she dies."
"There is a limited time that they can survive without food and water and she is scared by the alien noises," she added.
Local resident Amandine Cook said she fears for the bird’s condition the longer it stays trapped in the store. "I saw her last night. She went on the floor for a bit but was spooked by customers.
"She is not in a great shape, she seems exhausted. The staff said she has lost loads of weight," she said.
A spokesperson for Asda said: "Our team at Asda Bedminster have attempted to safely remove the bird and to ensure that the store remains clean and tidy throughout. Despite their best efforts, the seagull remains in store and we are now working with specialist contractors to remove the bird."
