Seagull Revived with CPR After Football Strike in Istanbul | Turkey News

A dramatic Istanbul 1st Amateur League Play-Off Final match took an unexpected turn Tuesday when a seagull was struck by a football and revived by the quick actions of a team captain. The incident occurred in the 22nd minute of the match between Istanbul Yurdum Spor and Mevlanakapı Güzelhisar in the Zeytinburnu district, according to reports from Haber3.com.

Istanbul Yurdum Spor goalkeeper Muhammed Uyanık’s clearance attempt collided with a low-flying seagull, sending the bird plummeting to the ground. Uyanık later expressed his distress, stating, “I didn’t realize the ball had hit a bird. I felt very poor afterward. It affected me deeply. After all, it’s a living being,” as reported by NTV.

Team captain Gani Çatan immediately responded, rushing to the bird’s aid and initiating chest compressions for nearly two minutes. Footage of the scene, shared by the club, shows a hushed silence falling over the pitch as Çatan worked to revive the animal. “Something was falling and I realized it was a seagull,” Çatan told the Anadolu Agency, as reported by Birgün. “The first thing that came to my mind was heart massage as it couldn’t breathe, so I tried my luck.”

Following Çatan’s intervention, the seagull regained consciousness, though club officials confirmed it sustained a wing injury and is currently receiving treatment. Its long-term prognosis remains uncertain. The incident prompted widespread attention on social media, with footage of the rescue circulating widely.

Despite the extraordinary circumstances and the successful rescue, Istanbul Yurdum Spor ultimately lost the match and were eliminated from the play-offs. But, Çatan emphasized that the outcome paled in comparison to the life-saving effort. “We missed the championship, but saving a life was more significant,” he said, according to Birgün.

The incident highlights the unexpected intersections between sport and wildlife and the compassionate response of a team captain in a moment of crisis. The condition of the injured seagull remains a concern, and updates on its recovery are anticipated.