Wildlife

Red Kite Welfare in Scottish Reintroduction Areas

Red kites have been successfully reintroduced to multiple Scottish sites since 1989 and welfare considerations include persecution, poisoning and collision mortality.

Key Facts

Red kites were reintroduced to the Chilterns in 1989 and to multiple Scottish sites from 1989-2005
Scottish populations now number several hundred breeding pairs
Secondary poisoning from rodenticides and illegal poisoned bait remains a significant mortality cause
Red kites are largely scavengers and are susceptible to eating poisoned carrion
Wind turbine collision is an emerging mortality concern for this large-winged raptor

Welfare Considerations

Red kite welfare continues to be threatened by deliberate poisoning despite legal protection. Illegal poisoned bait placed for foxes and crows kills red kites as non-target victims. Secondary rodenticide poisoning from anticoagulant baits causes internal haemorrhage. Power line electrocution is a documented mortality cause. Despite these threats, populations continue to grow and range-expand, reflecting good underlying welfare conditions where persecution is absent.

What You Can Do

Report any suspected red kite poisoning or persecution immediately to police and RSPB
Use rodenticides responsibly and only as a last resort
Follow power line collision avoidance guidelines near known red kite areas
Participate in red kite monitoring and survey schemes
Support RSPB investigation and prosecution of wildlife crime