Seagull was knocked unconscious by the ball during a soccer match. As the stadium fell silent, one player dropped to his knees and started CPR
Though most often linked to humans, CPR can be a lifesaver for animals and birds in critical situations. During a recent local amateur soccer match in Istanbul, a seagull was knocked unconscious by a ball, and team captain Gani Catan immediately performed CPR to revive the bird. As reported by Türkiye Today on Monday, February 23. 2026, the incident occurred during the Istanbul 1st Amateur League Play-Off Final, a match that decided promotion for local teams. The game in Zeytinburnu saw Mevlanakapi Guzelhisar face off against Istanbul Yurdum Spor. Catan’s quick initiative made a critical difference for the bird, showing how fast thinking and immediate action can matter in urgent moments.
Goalkeeper Muhammet Uyanik of Istanbul Yurdum Spor cleared the ball from his penalty area, and during this defensive play, the ball struck a seagull flying above and sent it crashing to the ground. Uyanik initially did not realize what he had hit and only noticed a white object lying motionless on the grass as he approached. He felt shocked and deeply upset, seeing that the bird was still alive but completely unresponsive. At that moment, a player quickly stepped in and used CPR to try to save the bird.
Team captain Gani Catan quickly ran over to the fallen seagull, showing no hesitation. Seeing the bird unresponsive and struggling to breathe, Catan immediately began performing chest compressions. He continued for about two minutes, keeping a steady rhythm, and eventually noticed movement in the bird’s legs and eyes as it started to respond. After offering the seagull some water, he gently transported the bird to the sideline and handed it over to the medical staff at the match. Catan admitted he had no formal first-aid training and called the intervention a reflexive effort to save the bird. Other players immediately clapped and offered encouragement as he moved the bird to safety, impressed by his swift response and dedication to helping.
The medical team examined the seagull carefully and treated the wing injuries it had sustained from the impact. Although the bird could not fly immediately due to the injuries, it was able to walk again after treatment and some care. Uyanik said he hoped to visit the bird if he could find out its location and ensure it was recovering well. Onur Ozsoy, who was presenting the live broadcast, said the moment drew unusual attention from everyone watching, and a rare silence fell over the commentators as the scene played out. He added that viewers were immediately concerned and invested in the condition of the seagull.
Istanbul Yurdum Spor ended up losing the match and missing out on the championship, but Catan emphasized that saving the seagull was far more important than the game’s outcome. “We missed out on the championship, but helping save a life is a good thing. This was more important than the championship,” he said. The footage captured him rushing to the bird, performing CPR with determination, and making sure it was handed over properly to the medical staff.
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