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The police in Mumbai, India finally cleared a suspected Chinese spy pigeon. The bird was held in detention for 8 months. Tuesday it was released into the wild, according to Press Trust of India reports.

The pigeon’s adventure started in May. The bird was discovered and captured at a Mumbai port.

It first caught authorities' attention because it had two rings tied to its legs. The rings were opened and revealed notes which looked like a Chinese script. 

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Chinese Spy Pigeon cleared

Police believed it was being used by an espionage ring. After they captured it, they sent it to Mumbai's Bai Sakarbai Hinshaw Petit Hospital for Animals. And eventually it was transferred to the Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The pigeon was finally identified as an open-water racing bird from Taiwan. Somehow it had escaped and made its way to India.

Mumbai police are not making any comments about the mistaken identity case.

An open water racing bird is a pigeon bred for racing over long distances, typically over water. 

Open Water Racing Bird

These birds are trained to fly long distances and navigate their way back home using their keen sense of direction and homing instincts. They are known for their speed, endurance, and ability to fly in adverse weather conditions. 

With police permission, the bird was transferred to the Bombay Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, whose doctors set it free on Tuesday. 

Since the bird was cleared of all spy activities it was released by a vet from the Bombay Society on Tuesday.

Other Incidents

There are reports from India that other birds have been detained after coming under police suspicion.

In a 2020 case, police in Indian-controlled Kashmir detained a bird owned by a Pakistani fisherman.

The pigeon had flown across the heavily militarized border between the nuclear-armed nations of India and Pakistan. The bird was released when it was confirmed it was not a spy.

In 2016, another pigeon was taken into custody. It was a carrier pigeon that was had a note attached to it threatening the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The origin of the note was never found. And there are no reports on what happened to the pigeon.