Seagull with Chinese GPS tracker found off Karnataka coast: What we know

A migratory seagull with a China-made GPS tracking device was found injured off the Karwar coast near INS Kadamba naval base in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district. The discovery was made by the Coastal Marine Police Cell at Rabindranath Tagore beach on Tuesday, creating curiosity and concern among the local people and security agencies.

The bird was then handed over to forest department officials, who examined it. A GPS tracker was installed on its body. The device contained an electronic unit and a small solar panel. Authorities also found an email address on the tracker, as well as a statement suggesting that anyone who finds the bird contact the specified ID.

According to police, the email address belongs to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, which identifies itself as a research center for eco-environmental sciences. Officials are trying to contact the mentioned email address to get clarity.

“The investigation is being done from multiple angles, including whether the bird was part of a scientific research project to study migratory patterns,” North Kananda Superintendent of Police Deepan MN was quoted as saying by NDTV.

According to forest officials, such tracking devices are used to study the movement patterns, feeding behavior and migration routes of migratory birds, India Today reports.

According to a TOI report, data from the tracker showed that the bird had flown more than 10,000 km, including the Arctic regions, before reaching the Karnataka coast.

Initial investigation suggests the device was part of a research project, and there is no sign of espionage. However, the GPS device will be sent for technical analysis to 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.

The incident has attracted attention due to the strategic importance of Karwar, which hosts one of India’s most important naval bases, INS Kadamba. Officials have reached out to the Chinese institute to ascertain details of the study.

Police and intelligence officials have verified the details, confirming there are no security concerns. Officials urged the public not to spread misinformation and stressed that GPS tagging is standard practice in wildlife research.

However, this is not the first such incident; In November 2024, a war eagle with a tracking device was spotted near Baithkol port in Karwar, linked to wildlife research.