Wildlife

Red Kite Population Recovery and Ongoing Threats

Red kites have recovered dramatically since reintroduction, but still face threats from illegal poisoning, lead poisoning, and road collisions.

Key Facts

Red kites were reintroduced to England and Scotland from 1989 after being extinct there
Wales retained a small breeding population through the species' nadir
Secondary poisoning from rodenticides and lead shot in carrion remains a leading cause of death
Red kites are social foragers that gather at communal roosts in winter

Welfare Considerations

Lead poisoning from ingesting shot carcasses causes prolonged neurological suffering and death. Illegal poisoning targets kites on some shooting estates. Both welfare and conservation efforts must address these ongoing threats.

What You Can Do

Support lead shot replacement campaigns for game shooting
Report suspected poisoning incidents to the RSPB or police
Avoid using rodenticides in areas where kite foraging is likely