Wildlife Welfare

Wild Red Kite Population Recovery and Welfare

Red kites were reintroduced to England, Scotland and Ireland from Welsh and Spanish populations, and have recovered to over 2,000 breeding pairs - a remarkable conservation success.

Key Facts

Red kites were extinct in England and Scotland, surviving only in Wales until reintroduction
Reintroduction began in 1989-1994 with birds from Spain and Sweden
Secondary poisoning from rodenticides and illegal persecution remain ongoing welfare threats
Red kites are primarily scavengers, feeding on carrion and earthworms
UK population recovery is now one of the most successful bird reintroduction programmes globally

Welfare Considerations

Individual red kites still die from poisoning - either targeted persecution or secondary poisoning from rodenticide-contaminated prey. Each poisoning death is a welfare harm to an individual bird that may suffer for days before dying. The population-level success does not negate individual welfare concerns. Addressing illegal persecution and rodenticide exposure remains important for welfare and conservation.

What You Can Do

Report suspected red kite poisoning to the RSPB or police wildlife crime unit
Eliminate rodenticide use from your land and gardens
Support red kite monitoring and anti-persecution initiatives