Daijiworld Media Network – Karwar
Karwar, Dec 18: An injured migratory seagull fitted with a GPS tracking device linked to a Chinese research institute was found along the Karwar coastline in Uttara Kannada district, raising concern among local residents and security agencies.
The seagull was found on Tuesday by personnel of the Coastal Marine Police Cell at Rabindranath Tagore Beach in Karwar and was subsequently handed over to the forest department wing, police said. The injured bird was later examined by officials.
During inspection, authorities noticed that the seagull had a GPS tracker tied to its body. The device comprised an electronic unit fitted with a small solar panel. Officials also found an email address attached to the tracker, along with a message requesting anyone who finds the bird to contact the provided ID.
Police said the email address is linked to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which describes itself as a Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences. Authorities are attempting to contact the mentioned email ID to seek clarification.
“Several angles are being examined, including whether the bird was part of a scientific research project to study migratory patterns,” Uttara Kannada superintendent of police Deepan M N said.
The incident has drawn particular attention due to Karwar’s strategic importance, as it hosts one of India’s most crucial naval bases.