Red kites were successfully reintroduced to England and Scotland from the 1990s and have thrived, but illegal poisoning remains the single biggest threat to their continued welfare and recovery.
Poisoning causes an agonising death through seizures, organ failure, and respiratory distress. Poisoned bait also kills non-target species including buzzards, ravens, foxes, and domestic pets. Secondary poisoning of other raptors and mammals occurs when they scavenge poisoned kite carcasses. The suffering endured during poisoning is prolonged and severe, making this one of the most acute welfare concerns in UK wildlife conservation.