A migratory seagull fitted with a Chinese-made GPS tracking device was found along Karnataka's Karwar coast, close to the INS Kadamba naval base, sparking curiosity and suspicion among the locals. Locals spotted the unusual device attached to the bird's back near Timmakka Garden in the Uttara Kannada district and alerted the forest department's marine division.
After a preliminary examination, officials found that the GPS tracker belonged to the Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Forest officials said researchers commonly use such tracking devices to study the movement patterns, feeding behaviour, and migration routes of migratory birds, such as seagulls.
Senior police officer, Karwar, Deepan MN, said they were verifying the details related to the GPS tracker. "The Forest Department's coastal marine cell found the bird and is currently conducting an inquiry. We are coordinating with them," he told media.
Data retrieved from the GPS device revealed that the seagull flew over 10,000 km, including across Arctic regions, before reaching the Karnataka coast, media reported.
Forest department officials said initial findings suggest the device might be part of a research project, and there was no immediate indication of any espionage attempt. However, the GPS device will be sent for technical examination to conclusively rule out any other possibilities.
"At present, it appears to be part of a migratory bird research study. We will confirm the findings after detailed verification," officials said.
At the same time, officials have also reached out to the Chinese institute to ascertain details of the study, including the origin, timeline and scope of the research.
It is the location where the bird was found that has garnered significant attention from multiple agencies.
The INS Kadamba naval base is one of the Indian Navy's most strategic installations and houses key warships, including aircraft carriers and submarines. After the ongoing expansion work is completed, INS Kadamba will be the eastern hemisphere's largest naval base.
However, this is not the first such incident in the region. In November 2024, a war eagle fitted with a tracking device was spotted near Baithkol port in Karwar. However, nothing suspicious was found. The case was found to be linked to wildlife research.
Source: India Today