Karnataka: A seagull fitted with a Chinese-made GPS tracking device was found near INS Kadamba naval base in Uttara Kannada district on Tuesday by the Coastal Marine Police Cell. It was later handed over to the forest department wing.
This incident has raised security concerns and suspicion among locals, as the bird was reportedly found close to a sensitive naval zone that is home to key warships, including aircraft carriers such as INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, as well as major submarines.
Upon preliminary examinations, the police said that the GPS tracker belonged to the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences had equipped the bird with the device as part of its research on migratory birds, focusing on their movement patterns, feeding habits and migratory pathways. The tracker also had an email address along with a “If found, please contact” message, urging anyone who found the bird to get in touch with the centre.
Currently, the verification of these details is underway. The coastal marine cell of the Forest Department is conducting an inquiry, according to Uttara Kananda Superintendent of Police Deepan MN. He also said that the incident is being investigated from multiple angles and the situation is being thoroughly cross-checked.