“I’ve never witnessed such a frenzy in my entire life.”
Cheyenne Lane, a seasoned animal caretaker and fervent advocate for rehabilitation, felt elated when presented with the opportunity of a lifetime: a journey to Australia and a road trip along the famed Great Ocean Road. Her anticipation was palpable as she looked forward to immersing herself in the diverse wildlife Australia had to offer. Little did she know, she would soon encounter a memorable challenge in the form of Australian seagulls.
As Lane neared the conclusion of her trip, she decided to stop for a lunch of fish and chips. A flock of seagulls closely monitored her meal, their keen eyes fixed on the tempting feast. Despite hearing warnings about their spirited nature, Lane remained confident in her ability to manage the situation.
“I had been warned about the seagulls and their… tenacity, but figured, ‘I’ve been to California and seen my fair share of seagulls, I got this,'” Lane said. “A group of them started gathering around us as we ate, and were getting pretty ballsy, even hopping up on the table (as if we wouldn’t notice the massive flying dinner guest). I loved the determination and wanted to give them something.”
Without really thinking about it, Lane tossed a fry into the crowd of seagulls in front of her, who had been relatively peaceful — up until the moment the fry left her hand.
“I’ve never witnessed such a frenzy in my entire life,” Lane exclaimed.
The seagulls went into a complete frenzy, clamoring for the single fry with absolute madness. Lane quickly realized her error, but amidst the chaos, she managed to capture a few photos before hastily seeking cover.
I didn’t even get to see the ‘after’ photo until later, safely tucked away in the van where they couldn’t interrogate me for more fries,” Lane chuckled. “That close-up image is permanently etched in my mind, rent-free. And whenever someone mentions the wild creatures in Australia—spiders, snakes, you name it—all I can think about is how those seagulls were hands down the most intimidating thing I encountered the entire trip.”
Lane cherished her journey to Australia wholeheartedly, developing profound admiration for its wildlife, landscapes, and the people dedicated to their preservation. And, of course, she harbored a newfound appreciation for the seagulls, who mercifully spared her life despite her meager offering of a solitary fry.