Wildlife

Wild Red Kite Conservation: Recovery, Road Mortality, and Rodenticide Threats

Red kites have made one of the most spectacular wildlife comebacks in UK history following reintroduction. But new threats from road mortality and secondary rodenticide poisoning challenge continued recovery.

Key Facts

Red kites were reintroduced to the Chilterns in 1989 after centuries of persecution
UK red kite population now exceeds 10,000 birds from just 93 reintroduced Welsh birds
Kites are scavengers and are attracted to roadsides where they feed on road casualties
Secondary poisoning from rodenticides is now a major cause of red kite mortality
Illegal poisoning still occurs but is declining following public education campaigns
Red kites are covered by Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Welfare Considerations

Red kites that ingest anticoagulant rodenticides die from internal haemorrhage over days to weeks - a prolonged and distressing welfare outcome. Road strikes cause acute traumatic injury and death. Each individual red kite represents an irreplaceable recovered population member. The wildlife welfare significance of rodenticide poisoning extends beyond individual suffering to threaten the long-term viability of this hard-won conservation success.

What You Can Do

Switch to rodenticide alternatives (traps, proofing) where possible
If rodenticides must be used, choose first-generation products with lower persistence
Never use second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides near farmland where kites are present
Report suspected rodenticide poisoning of red kites to the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme
Support the Chilterns Red Kite Project and other monitoring programmes