NewsIndia: Pigeon suspected of spying for China free after 8-month of investigation

India: Pigeon suspected of spying for China free after 8‑month of investigation

A Large Group of Pigeons fly During Cold Winter Morning in Ajmer In the Indian State of Rajasthan on 10 January 2021. At Least six Indian states have stepped up efforts to contain two strains of bird flu - H5N1 and H5N8 - in recent days after the deaths of thousands of migratory birds, ducks, crows and chickens. (Photo by Himanshu Sharma/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Images source: © NurPhoto via Getty Images | NurPhoto

9:44 AM EST, February 1, 2024

A pigeon, suspected to be used by the Chinese for spying and kept in custody is now free, after 8 months of investigation.

The saga of the pigeon started in May after its capture close to a Mumbai port, where it was found with two rings on its legs, inscribed with what appeared to be Chinese characters. Suspecting the bird of spying, the police apprehended it and subsequently transferred it to the Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals in Mumbai for custody.

The investigation uncovered that the pigeon, which had been involved in racing competitions in Taiwan, had inadvertently ended up in India. Following police authorization, the hospital proceeded to release the bird.

Participants catch male pigeons flying to female pigeons at the racing pigeon competition in Palu, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia on December 21, 2019. In addition to establishing friendship among dove lovers, the competition was also to train the speed of pigeons. (Photo by Basri Marzuki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)© NurPhoto via Getty Images | NurPhoto

According to veterinarians, the pigeon is in good condition.

Source: Press Trust of India, Times of India, NBC News