Overview

• The pigeon was detained in May near a Mumbai port, with initial suspicions of espionage due to Chinese characters on its legs.
• Investigation revealed the pigeon was an open-water racing bird from Taiwan that had lost its way.
• The bird was equipped with rings and a microchip, analyzed to track its location and confirm its identity.
• Animal rights group PETA India intervened, leading to the pigeon's release after months of captivity.
• The incident highlights India's vigilance against espionage, including past detentions of birds under similar suspicions.