Red Kite Welfare and Recovery Across the UK

The red kite is one of the UK's greatest conservation success stories, recovering from near-extinction in Wales to a thriving population across England and Scotland, with ongoing welfare challenges from persecution and secondary poisoning.

Key Facts

Red kites were reduced to a remnant Welsh population of fewer than 20 breeding pairs by the 1930s
Reintroduction programmes from 1989 have established thriving populations across England and Scotland
They are scavengers and opportunistic predators, fulfilling an important ecological role
Secondary poisoning from rodenticide-killed prey remains a significant mortality cause
Deliberate poisoning and illegal persecution continue to be recorded despite full legal protection

Welfare Considerations

Red kites that consume rodenticide-poisoned prey or are themselves deliberately poisoned experience severe acute suffering before death. Secondary poisoning typically causes internal haemorrhaging, weakness, and loss of coordination before a prolonged death. Nest disturbance during the breeding season causes breeding failure and associated welfare harm to adults and chicks. The remarkable recovery of this species demonstrates the effectiveness of legal protection and reintroduction, but persistent illegal killing and secondary poisoning mean welfare vigilance is still needed.

What You Can Do

Use rodenticides strictly according to label instructions to minimise contaminated prey availability
Report suspected poisoned or persecuted red kites to the police and RSPB immediately
Support the Wildlife Crime Unit and campaigns against illegal raptor persecution
Do not disturb known red kite nest sites during the breeding season between March and July