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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Laura Clements

Seagull caught on camera swallowing entire live rabbit on Skomer Island

A seagull was filmed pulling a live rabbit out of the ground and swallowing it whole.

During the footage captured on Skomer Island, the Great Black-backed Gull manages to down the entire creature in just several large gulps.

For a couple of seconds, it looks like it may have bitten off more than it could chew with this particular rabbit, but with a quick pause the rabbit's back legs disappear down the gull's throat too.

According to the team at Skomer Island, which is managed by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, rabbits are actually an important part of their diet.

They said: "Rabbits are an important part of their diet when none or very few small seabirds or seabird chicks are available."

For several seconds after the meal, the gull looks slightly wobbly but then recovers and is seemingly satisfied by his extra large meal.

The island, off the Pembrokeshire coast, is seeing its more famous residents, puffins, return after the long winter and this summer is welcoming more than ever.

On the neighbouring island of Skokholm, the team has counted 8,534 puffins so far - the highest April total since 1953.

The tourist season has stalled during lockdown and the usual boatloads of visitors have been suspended during the coronavirus crisis.

The wildlife seems unperturbed by the lack of people and is enjoying having the island to themselves this Easter, albeit with just the odd wildlife warden and island ranger.

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