A seagull has turned shoplifter and is wandering into a store in Aberdeen to help himself to his favourite snack. The bird has discovered a corner shop which keeps spicy Doritos - the only crisps he eats - close to the front door. Every day he now lies in wait until staff open the door for a breath of fresh air, then pounces and makes off with his food. The seagull, nicknamed Sam by staff and customers, has now become so popular that locals have started paying for his crisps.
Shop assistant Sriaram Nagarajan said: "Everyone is amazed by the seagull. For some reason he only takes that one particular kind of crisps will do for him. But he's got it down to a fine art. He waits until there are no customers around and I'm standing behind the till, then he raids the place."
The bird first swooped on the shop in Aberdeen about two weeks ago. Staff were taken unawares by their first feathered shoplifter. They could only watch in amazement as Sam round out the door with the 55p crisps. Once outside, he gets help from other gulls and pigeons to rip open the packaging. They all feast, then disappear to return the next day for another crack at the shop.
Sriaram added: "At first I didn't believe a seagull was capable of stealing crisps, but I saw it with my own eyes and I was surprised. He is very good at it". Bosses at the shop have now decided to keep the door closed to try to combat Sam. However, customers have taken pity on him and started donating money so he can keep eating Doritos. Sriaram said: "He's becoming a bit of a celebrity. Seagulls are not normally that popular, but Sam is a star because he's so funny."
Quoted from the Press and Journal, 20 July 2007
I can add that the manufacturers of the crisps have announced that they may put an image of the bird on new packaging, or even devise a special flavour in the gull's honour.
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a special flavour in the gulls honour?! I'm a little worried about what flavour they come up with!!
ReplyDelete~Amy
I love this!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely cheery story Guido thanks for sharing ..love Jan xx
ReplyDeleteGuido
ReplyDeleteThey showed a video clip of Sam stealing the chips on one of our national news channels a day or two ago. He sure stole my heart as well as those chips.
Sam
An amazing story, but I believe it because I read a book about bird antics a while back and it seems that these birds found out they could cause an automatic door to open, so they flew in there and built a nest and went back and forth feeding their young after they were born, opening the sensitive door themselves. This book was filled with such stories testifying to the smartness of certain birds. A charming tale. Seagulls are not usually loved anymore than pigeons are where we live. The manager has threatened arrest for the stubborn residents who keep feeding them bread, etc, because they roost in the newly painted eaves and shit on the awnings, making the place look like a shabby pigeon hotel. I see they re drinking out of the swimming pool now and leaving stains on the tile. Gerry
ReplyDeleteAwwwww lol what a lovely story. I would glady pay for sams Doritos. I hope we do see Sam on the packs it beats having hungry for fame celebs any day of the week. Thank you for making me smile
ReplyDeletelove and hugs
Katie
I wish somebody could take a video of it all!
ReplyDeletePam
They showed that on the TV news the other night. That seagull is pretty clever ! Linda in Washington state
ReplyDeleteJust send you the video Guido, perhaps you would like to add it to your entry or post in another entry.
ReplyDeleteI saw that Guido, the seagull is very particular which brand he eats...lol! :o)
ReplyDeleteSandra xxxx
Lol. What made them think animals weren't clever. I think it's a riot he only eats one particular brand! (Hugs) Indigo
ReplyDeleteThe Doritos brand should totally use this in adverts! LOL
ReplyDeletebe well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/
That is so cool! I'd buy some Doritos for him, too.
ReplyDeleteLori