Red kites and other scavenging raptors accumulate lead fragments by scavenging shot gamebirds and deer gut piles, causing sublethal and lethal poisoning that harms recovered populations.
Lead poisoning in birds causes progressive neurological damage including loss of coordination, inability to fly, and eventual death. The lead ingested by red kites through carrion scavenging represents an entirely preventable welfare harm — the continued use of lead ammunition in areas with recovering raptor populations causes suffering to birds whose conservation represents decades of effort.