Wildlife

Red Kite Conservation and Recovery Welfare

Red kites have been successfully reintroduced to England after extinction, but continue to face threats from illegal poisoning and secondary rodenticide exposure.

Key Facts

Red kites were reintroduced to England from Wales and Spain from 1989
The population has grown from zero to over 10,000 in England
Illegal poisoning using banned substances remains the primary persecution threat
Lead poisoning from ingesting shot carrion affects red kites significantly
Chilterns and Harewood areas have the densest populations in England

Welfare Considerations

Illegally poisoned red kites experience prolonged and painful deaths from convulsant poisons. Lead poisoning from ingesting carcasses shot with lead ammunition causes progressive neurological decline. Both are preventable. Enforcing poison legislation, promoting lead-free ammunition, and maintaining vigilance against persecution protect the welfare of individual birds and the remarkable recovery story of the species.

What You Can Do

Report dead or sick red kites to the RSPB Wildlife Crime Unit
Support the use of lead-free ammunition by game shooters
Advocate for prosecution of wildlife poisoning cases
Oppose the use of rodenticides that cause secondary poisoning in raptors
Celebrate and share the red kite recovery story to raise conservation awareness