Seagull in a curry: How this bird fell into vat of tikka masala

[Updated August 9, 2016] Since our original story back in June, a second British seagull has fallen into a vat of curry. According to the BBC, the bird fell into a vat of bright orange tandoori sauce in Newport, south Wales. You can read about the latest case here. 

Listen to our interview and read more about the original "Gullfrazie":

A seagull has gained internet fame after he was turned bright orange after falling into a vat of chicken tikka masala.

He actually smelled delicious!- Lucy Kells

"He's doing really well, he's a little bit thin," Lucy Kells, a nurse with Vale wildlife hospital, tells As It Happens host Carol Off.

The seagull, which has since been named "Gullfrazie" by the hospital's Facebook group (a take on the Indian dish, jalfrezi) was looking for a meal near a food manufacturer who had just thrown out a vat of chicken tikka masala. Kells figures the bird tried to perch itself on the container.

"Their feet aren't made for perching and he went right in."

Kells credits the owners of the company for rescuing the bird and calling the hospital. A volunteer was close by and trucked the gull away for immediate care.

"The smell hit us before we even opened the box," says Kells. "Everyone was very shocked because they're usually a white bird but he's bright orange!"

"He actually smelled delicious!" laughs Kells.

After posting a picture of the bird on their social media, "Gullfrazie" became an internet star. Kells says he's doing well and after a bath, was no longer  bright orange.

"He had a hot shower and we massaged him with washing-up liquid (soap), the masala sauce came off very easily. He came off quite nice and clean."

Kells says the hospital will feed him and get his weight up before taking him to an aviary so he can preen and get his feathers ready for flight.

For more on Gullfrazie's story, take a listen to our full interview