Red kites are a UK conservation success story but face ongoing mortality from secondary poisoning by rodenticides consumed through scavenging on poisoned rodent carcasses, causing preventable welfare harms.
Kites that ingest sublethal SGAR doses experience impaired blood clotting causing internal bleeding from minor injuries. Behavioural impairment means poisoned birds are more likely to be struck by vehicles or die from secondary trauma. Clinical signs — weakness, difficulty flying, blood in droppings — take days to develop, during which birds experience progressive deterioration. Treatment requires intensive supportive care and Vitamin K therapy. SGAR use in UK agriculture and rodent control remains legal but campaigns for stricter usage restrictions and professional-only application are ongoing.