Discovery of a Chinese GPS tracker on a migratory seagull in Karwar has raised concern among police and officials.
Karwar
A migratory seagull fitted with a GPS tracking device bearing Chinese markings has been found in Karwar town of Uttara Kannada district, triggering concern among forest officials and the local police. The bird was first spotted in the Kadamba Naval Base area, a strategically sensitive zone, prompting immediate attention from authorities.
According to officials, the seagull was noticed moving around the Kadamba Naval Dockyard region. Forest department personnel later identified that the bird was carrying a GPS tracker, after which it was safely secured and shifted to the forest department office for further examination. The presence of the tracker led to heightened alertness, given the sensitive nature of the location where the bird was found.
Initial examination of the device revealed inscriptions referring to the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with the term Eco Environment, indicating that the tracker may have been installed as part of a scientific or ecological research project. Officials believe that such GPS devices are commonly used to study migratory patterns, feeding habits, and movement behaviour of birds over long distances.
Despite the possibility of the tracker being used purely for research purposes, the discovery has raised security concerns due to the proximity of the bird’s movement to the naval base. Karwar police have begun collecting detailed information about the tracker and its origin to rule out any potential security threat.
Forest department officials said they are in the process of contacting the Chinese Academy of Sciences to verify whether the GPS tracker was installed as part of a legitimate migratory bird study. They added that international wildlife research organisations often tag migratory birds to understand climate impact, migration routes and ecological changes.
Meanwhile, the Karwar city police have registered a case to formally investigate the matter. Officials clarified that registering a case is a precautionary step to ensure transparency and coordination between departments, including intelligence and defence agencies, if required.
