Spotted: Seagulls in the muddy waters of Mithi River

A school of seagulls, an unusual sight so far inland and amidst such squalor, took refuge in the muddy slush and effluent-filled waters of the Mithi River near Kurla recently. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

The shallow, polluted waters, choked with debris and industrial discharge, offered a temporary haven, however unsuitable, for these birds. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Their presence in such an environment, far removed from their typical coastal habitats, highlights the desperate search for resting places and perhaps even food sources, amidst increasing environmental degradation. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

World Wetlands Day, celebrated annually on February 2, commemorates the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands in 1971 and aims to raise global awareness about the critical role wetlands play in our ecosystem. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

Seagulls can be found in coastal areas, beaches, piers, and waterfronts, as well as inland areas, such as lakes and rivers. (Source: Freepik)

This unusual congregation of seagulls in the Mithi River's polluted slurry serves as a stark reminder of the encroaching impact of human activity on even the most adaptable of species. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)