Freedom of Information Request - Gulls and injuries to persons
Date: 24 April 2025
Our ref: SIR179743/A5112650
Information Request – Gulls and injuries to persons
Your Request
'• How many persons in Scotland have been directly injured as a result of attacking gulls (swooping or otherwise) during 2020,2021,2022,2023 and 2024?
• How many persons in Moray have been directly injured by gulls during 2020,2021,2022,2023 and 2024?
• How many people in Highland have been injured by gulls during 2020,2021,2022,2023 and 2024?
• What action if any has nature Scotland taken to address this issue?'
Our Response
Questions 1-3
We do not hold this information. Local GP practices or hospitals may have records of injuries that have been treated.
Question 4
NatureScot issue licences where there is a clear risk to public health or public safety, this may be because of dive bombing or direct strikes. NatureScot is also working with local authorities and councils to develop management plans to better manage the issues presented by gulls in our towns and cities.
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
