Red kites are one of conservation success stories in the UK, recovered from near-extinction but still facing threats from poisoning, persecution, and lead ammunition ingestion.
Despite remarkable recovery, red kites continue to face welfare threats. Illegal persecution including shooting and poisoning still occurs, particularly in areas with intensive pheasant shooting. Lead poisoning from ingesting carcasses and gut piles of animals shot with lead ammunition causes neurological damage, weakness, and slow death. Red kites that survive poisoning require intensive veterinary treatment. Secondary poisoning from rat poisons (rodenticides) is documented. Feeding stations in some areas provide significant supplementary food but can create dependency and disease transmission risks if not managed carefully. Road mortality is increasing as the population expands into suburban areas.