The red kite reintroduction is one of UK conservation's greatest successes. However, the growing population still faces significant welfare threats from lead poisoning, rodenticides and illegal persecution.
Lead poisoning in red kites causes progressive neurological deterioration — affected birds become disorientated, lose the ability to fly and die over several days. The widespread availability of shot game carcasses creates a chronic toxin source that affects a significant proportion of the population at sublethal levels, reducing breeding success and immune function. A switch to non-lead ammunition for all game shooting would eliminate this welfare problem while being technically straightforward.