On July 19, 2025, a woman was sitting on Wildwood Crest Beach in New Jersey, savoring a sandwich, when a seagull suddenly swooped down and grabbed the food from her hand. The incident was captured on video by Victoria Shannon Reed and shared through Storyful, quickly gaining traction on social media.
While the event is largely seen as a humorous anecdote, it has sparked broader discussions about the increasing frequency of wildlife interactions in urban and coastal settings. Some residents and experts have raised concerns about how to coexist with local animals without disrupting their natural behaviors. Others have suggested that such incidents might be a result of human encroachment on natural habitats.
Wildwood Crest, a popular tourist destination, often sees similar incidents involving seagulls and visitors. While the city has implemented some measures to deter wildlife, the issue remains a point of debate among locals and environmentalists. The video’s viral spread has also highlighted the role of social media in amplifying both the humor and the concerns of everyday events.