When Seagulls Go Rogue: Shell Crashes Through Wareham DNR Officer’s Windshield

WAREHAM (WBSM) — The Wareham Department of Natural Resources had a little fun this morning on social media after one of its officers’ vehicles was “vandalized.”

The DNR posted on Facebook that on Monday, November 17, one of the department’s officers finished his shift and returned home “to find that his car had been vandalized.” There was a large quahog shell that had gone through the rear windshield of his vehicle.

“Needless to say, the officer was shell-shocked by the findings,” the DNR wrote.

“An investigation was conducted and it has been determined to be a targeted incident because of the nature of his job,” the DNR wrote, with tongue firmly planted in cheek. “The suspect has been identified but is still at large.”

Wanted: "Steven Seagul"

The DNR identified him as “Steven Seagul” (a play on 90s action-film star Steven Seagal), saying he was approximately 16 inches tall with a 40-inch wingspan.

“Last seen wearing white and gray feathers with matching yellow beak and feet,” the DNR continued. “Seagul is known to frequent local seafood bars only during low tide hours and has a habit of pooping on beachgoers. If seen, do not chase, harass, or feed wildlife.”

Why Seagulls Drop Shellfish

Seagulls drop shellfish from high above to crack the shell on the pavement or cement surfaces below, but sometimes they miss and hit a vehicle instead. In fact, there was recently a case on Nantucket in which the same thing occurred.

READ MORE: When Seagulls Attack: From Fairhaven Poop to Nantucket Mayhem

Get our free mobile app

All That and No Quahog

After all that, Steven Seagul didn’t even end up getting his dinner.

“We are happy to report that the quahog was within legal harvesting size and did not sustain any injuries,” the DNR wrote. “However, it was harvested without a shellfish permit, so it was returned to deeper water.”