In Belgium: A Championship for Imitating Seagull Sounds

The coastal town of De Panne in Belgium organized the third edition of the European Seagull Crying Championship today, where a jury selects the best imitator of this distinctive bird's sound. Around 50 participants took part in the competition, and a professional judging panel evaluated each contestant, giving up to 15 points for their imitation of the seagull's call and five points for their behavior. The winner of his first attempt was Dutch engineering student Jarmo, who took first place. Jan Sis, head of the judging panel and communications officer at the Flanders Marine Institute, told Reuters, "We thought, why not generate more sympathy for these seagulls as they are part of the coast... There is no coast without seagulls."