A GPS-tagged migratory seagull found on Karwar beach on Wednesday briefly triggered concern among local residents before forest officials confirmed the device was part of a legitimate scientific research project tracking bird migration.
The exhausted bird, which had sustained minor injuries, was spotted with an unfamiliar attachment, prompting locals to alert the forest department. Officials rescued the seagull and brought it to their office for examination. Upon inspection, authorities confirmed that the equipment was a GPS tracking device used to study long-distance migratory patterns.
Forest department sources said they contacted the Wildlife and Nature Protection Society of Sri Lanka, which verified that the bird had been tagged under an ongoing international migration study. Data retrieved from the tracker showed that the seagull had travelled more than 10,000 kilometres, including routes over Arctic regions, before reaching Karwar.
Although the tracker was manufactured in China, officials ruled out any surveillance or security-related concerns. Speculation had surfaced in some sections of the media suggesting a possible espionage angle due to the proximity of the INS Kadamba naval base. However, authorities clarified that the device contained no camera or recording equipment.
The bird remains under observation and is expected to be released once it fully recovers, officials said.
