Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Chinese-tracked seagull sparks brief espionage concerns
A seagull with a tracking device from China was found on a beach near a big Indian navy base.
People got worried it might be spying, but experts said it's just for studying birds.
The bird traveled a long way, even over the Arctic.
Officials are checking to make sure it's safe, and they talked to the Chinese scientists who put the tracker on the bird.
This isn't the first time this happened in the area.
Everyone is being careful, but they don't think it's a spy bird.
A seagull with a Chinese-made GPS tracker was found near the INS Kadamba naval base in Karwar, India.
The device was confirmed to be for scientific research on migration patterns, with no surveillance capabilities.
The bird had traveled over 10,000 km, including across Arctic regions, before landing in India.
Authorities are investigating but have found no evidence of espionage, emphasizing caution due to the location's sensitivity.
This is the second such incident in the region, with a similar case involving a war eagle in November 2024.
- Who
- Local residents, Marine Wing of the Forest Department, Karwar police, security agencies, wildlife experts
- What
- A migratory seagull with a Chinese-made GPS tracking device was found near a naval base, sparking brief espionage concerns
- When
- Wednesday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- Thimmakka Garden beach, Karwar, Uttara Kannada district, near INS Kadamba naval base
- Why
- The device's origin and proximity to a strategic naval base raised initial concerns, though it was confirmed to be for scientific research
- Location
- Thimmakka Garden beach, Karwar, Uttara Kannada district
- Device Origin
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Distance Traveled
- Over 10,000 km, including Arctic regions
- Device Capabilities
- No camera or surveillance capabilities
- Previous Incident
- November 2024, war eagle with tracker near Baithkol port