26 JUNE 2026
We were called out this morning to a terrible scene of a seagull caught in barbed wire.
Some family members of Vicky one of our volunteers at Friends of the Animals 17a river way Newport looked up across the road while in a cafe to see the poor gull alive and dangling from the roof of a building.
We went into the shop who were unaware of the situation but very accommodating and taken up to the roof. There we saw close at hand the poor gull struggling to get free.
While one of us held the bird to prevent any more damage and just case the gull did get free and fall, Vicky was trying with the cutters that we had to cut the wire. These were not strong enough neither was the ones from the shop so we called the fire service in the hope they could assist.
Two officers came onto the roof with the appropriate cutters and quickly the gull was finally free. They were truly amazing and so kind.
One of the fire fighters was called Anthony (who is in the photo below) so that’s what we have called the gull. Who knows how long the poor thing had been dangling there.
We took Anthony the gull to the Wight Vets who were outstanding seeing to the gull immediately and giving pain relief. An X-ray showed this very lucky gull had a broken toe where under sedation the barbed wire was removed and wire had also gone through the wing but again incredibly no breaks.
He has now gone into the great care of Claire at Skippers Sanctuary for rehabilitation with a bag of antibiotics and pain relief.
Again HUGE thanks to the fire service and the family who looked up by chance and saved a life. 
UPDATE ON ANTHONY THE SEAGULL: 29 JUNE 2026
From the trauma of being caught on barbed wire and rescued last Friday, Anthony is finally settling down from his shock.
After his great care from the Wight Vets he went onto Skippers Sanctuary for rehabilitation. Claire at the sanctuary really is a Florence NightinGULL for these birds.
She tells us that Anthony prefers cat food to fish and is still on medication and being closely monitored. He doesn’t like his hospital cage but Claire says she will have him out to enjoy the sun during the daytime.
FURTHER UPDATE ON ANTHONY THE SEAGULL: 4 AUGUST 2026
Anthony the gull who was seen caught on barbed wire is recovering well in the incredible hands of Florence NightinGull (formally known as Claire
) at Skippers Sanctuary.
Sadly we are having to continue our fight to get the short row of barbed wire removed to save any others from the pain and suffering Anthony endured for how many days we do not know.
We wish him the fullest recovery and from there to be set free as as a bird should be.
Posted on June 26th, 2026