Forest officials examine migratory bird found near strategic naval installation
A migratory bird has sparked significant interest and a security review after being discovered with a foreign tracking device near a high-security zone. Residents near Timmakka Garden in the Uttara Kannada district first noticed the bird, a seagull, carrying an unusual electronic pack on its back. The location of the find is particularly sensitive, as it sits close to the INS Kadamba naval base, one of India's most critical maritime installations.
Local citizens immediately alerted the marine division of the forest department. Upon inspection, officials identified the hardware as a GPS tracking unit. Data retrieved from the device suggests an incredible journey, showing the bird traveled over 10,000 kilometers from Arctic regions before arriving in Karnataka.
Links to Chinese Research
Initial technical verifications indicate the tracker is registered to the Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, an entity under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. While such devices are standard tools for scientists studying migration paths and feeding habits, the proximity to a base housing aircraft carriers and submarines has prompted a cautious response from Indian authorities.
Deepan MN, a senior police officer in Karwar, confirmed that the Forest Department’s coastal marine cell is leading the inquiry. Security agencies are currently coordinating to ensure the device was used strictly for environmental data.
Precautionary Measures
This is not the first time a "tagged" bird has raised eyebrows in the region. A similar incident occurred in late 2024 involving a war eagle near Baithkol port, which was later cleared of any suspicious activity. Regarding the current Chinese GPS seagull Karwar case, officials have reached out to the Chinese institute to verify the project's scope. While experts believe this is likely a legitimate scientific study, the device will undergo a full technical exam to rule out any security risks.
