Tragic End for GPS-Tagged Migratory Bird: Hooglin’s Seagull Passes Away in Karwar

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Karawar : A rare Hooglin’s Seagull, which had become a subject of international scientific interest, died on Thursday night after failing to recover from severe injuries. The bird, equipped with a sophisticated GPS tracker, was discovered in a weakened state at the Rabindranath Tagore Beach in Karwar and was subsequently moved to the Dandeli Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for emergency care.

A Journey Cut Short by Injury Despite the best efforts of wildlife experts, the seagull’s condition deteriorated as it stopped consuming food due to the trauma of its injuries. A post-mortem examination later confirmed that the cause of death was a combination of physical trauma and starvation. The bird had been under constant observation, but the severity of its wounds proved fatal, marking a somber end to its remarkable journey across continents.

A Milestone in Avian Research The seagull was part of a prestigious study by a Sri Lankan avian research institute. In March, researchers had fitted the bird with a satellite-based tagging device to track its migratory patterns. Data revealed that the bird had traveled from the tropical coasts of Sri Lanka and India all the way to the Arctic regions of Siberia for breeding. It was on its return flight to Sri Lanka when it sustained injuries, forcing it to make an emergency landing on the Karwar coast, as confirmed by the Colombo-based institute.