The red kite was saved from UK extinction by a remnant Welsh population and is now thriving in England and Scotland following successful reintroduction programmes. Its welfare recovery is one of conservation's greatest UK success stories.
Red kite welfare has transformed from near-extinction to abundance through targeted protection. The few remaining Welsh birds were the genetic seed for all UK reintroductions — their welfare during the protection period was critical to the entire recovery. Today, the greatest ongoing welfare threats are poisoning (both illegal bait and secondary rodenticide) and persecution on some game estates. Lead poisoning from ingesting carcasses of game animals shot with lead ammunition is a significant cause of mortality — switching to non-toxic shot would eliminate this welfare risk. Feed stations in Wales providing supplementary food in winter have supported population welfare during cold periods.