Cape May’s European story began not with Victorian hotels, presidents or tourists complaining about parking, but with whales.

Gulls get a bad rap. In Shore towns, they’ve been categorized as Public Enemy Number One. Ocean City has gone so far as to put trained falcons and hawks on boardwalk patrol, the avian equivalent of hiring bouncers to protect tourists and their fries.

Here’s What To Do If You See A Seal On The Beach (Or Road!)