Deception in Turkey: Seagulls Meow to get Free Cat Food

A video of seagulls from Istanbul has become an online sensation after the birds learned to imitate cats meowing in order to trick people into giving them food from street vending machines designed for stray animals.

In exchange for a coin, the machine releases a certain amount of kibble, while the seagulls present themselves as cats in their hunt for food.

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More than 100,000 stray cats and between 400,000 and 750,000 stray dogs live in Istanbul alone.

The animals are not chased away, as they are considered an inseparable part of the city, with locals regularly leaving food and water for them on the streets. Special vending machines are also used to help care for the animals.

Smart vending machines helping homeless animals

Authorities in Istanbul's Fatih district installed special "Mama Otomati" systems – smart food machines designed to provide food for stray cats and dogs in the area.

How the vending machines for stray animals work

The kibble machines in Istanbul operate on a simple principle funded by donations from tourists and local residents.

A coin is inserted into the top slot, activating a mechanism inside the machine that releases a portion of kibble into the tray below for stray cats or dogs.

Seagulls imitate cats to get food

Over the past few years, passersby have noticed the remarkable intelligence of seagulls, which found a very unusual way to get food from the vending machines. The birds learned to imitate cats meowing in an attempt to trick people into thinking they are actually cats.

The video shows one of the seagulls meowing like a cat in front of the machine, hoping people will feel sorry for it. Some birds are successful, while others are less convincing.

There is also no shortage of humorous reactions online – some commenters joke that the seagulls are turning into cats, while others point out the birds' intelligence and their attempt to outsmart the system.

The seagulls' strategic deception

Because stray cats often meowed around these machines to attract people's attention, the seagulls eventually connected the sound of meowing with food and rewards.

The birds are now using a clever trick by making sounds similar to cat meows, while their persistence awakens the compassion of passersby, who then reward the seagulls with a free meal.