Red kite shot dead weeks after release

07/09/2008 22:20:15

September 2008. A red kite has been found shot dead in Northern Ireland near Leitrim in South Co Down, just weeks after the bird was re-introduced to Northern Ireland after an absence of more than 200 years.

RSPB Northern Ireland released 27 of the birds in July at the start of a three-year species reintroduction programme - the first of its kind in Northern Ireland.

Tests carried out by the Police Service of Northern Ireland suggest the dead bird may have been killed deliberately. Both its wing tags and an identifying leg ring had been removed before the bird was recovered by the RSPB. The dead bird would have been no more than four months old.

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB's Director of Conservation, said: "We are shocked and angered by the senseless killing of one of the recently released red kites. These magnificent birds were neither a threat to humans nor livestock, so we can only assume that whoever did this was either ignorant or gets a perverse sense of enjoyment from killing birds of prey.

"We believe that there will be much anger not only in Northern Ireland but right across the UK. Red kites are a globally threatened species and their reintroduction became a celebration of the return of an iconic species to Northern Ireland.

Welsh Red kite chick
Tony Cross of the Welsh Kite Trust said "It is very saddening that some thoughtless idiot has shot this bird. The Welsh Kite Trust and Golden Eagle Trust worked very hard throughout June to source these birds which were kindly given over by the farmers of Wales to help with our continuing conservation work on this iconic species. This particular bird was the elder of two chicks from a nest near Machynlleth. We will be watching the progress of the remaining birds carefully as we are unwilling to send more chicks from Wales if they experience high levels of persecution.

Extinct in Ireland for 200 years
Red kites were hunted to extinction in Ireland over 200 years ago, at a time when there was much misinformation about kites and birds of prey in general. In 2008, there can be no such excuses.

Dr Avery said: "RSPB Northern Ireland had been working tremendously hard behind the scenes for a number of years, to get the Red Kite Reintroduction Project off the ground, and we are determined to see it succeed. The message needs to be sent out that these birds should be a treasured addition to our countryside and not a target for illegal shooting."

PSNI Constable Alex Beck said: "Wildlife crime is taken seriously by the PSNI, and its significance can not be under estimated. Red Kites, like all wild birds, are protected by law under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985. As such, any person involved in this type of crime could find themselves subject to a report to the Public Prosecution Service.

"I would ask anyone with any information to contact their local PSNI station on 0845 600 8000."