Red kite shot dead in Ireland just weeks after release.

04/01/2007 00:00:00 September 2007. A Red Kite, released in Ireland just six weeks ago, has been found dead. The corpse was located by radio tracking (all of the birds released were fitted with radio transmitters). The dead kite was x rayed and found to contain 6-7 shotgun pellets and an obvious entry wound in its chest. The bird was recovered from a farm field north of Arklow in County Wicklow.

Kite reintroduction
30 Red Kites were released in County Wicklow on the 19 July and have adapted well to the surrounding countryside since. They have been seen feeding on many silage and stubble fields - foraging for worms and insects such as crane fly (Daddy Long legs). Local farmers, landowners and members of the shooting fraternity have been extremely supportive of the project to date. The National Association of Regional Gun Clubs are fully supportive of the project and have been reassured by their counterparts in Britain that Red Kites hold no threat to either game birds or livestock.

The Garda in Wicklow is currently investigating the matter. All native birds of prey, including released Red Kites, are fully protected in the Republic of Ireland under Section 22 of the Wildlife Act (1976) and by the Wildlife (Amendment) Act (2000). Under the European Union’s Birds Directive, Red Kites are listed as an Annex I species and are therefore given the highest level of protection under European law. This is a major disappointment for the Golden Eagle Trust Ltd (GET), which is managing the project in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Welsh Kite Trust. The GET Project Manager Damian Clarke said, ‘Obviously, after all the hard work and support for the project in Wicklow, nationally and in Wales, it is very worrying to recover a shot kite so soon after they have been released. But I must stress that the level of support from all the local farmers, landowners and local gun clubs and shooting syndicates has been excellent.

Driven to extinction
Red Kites were driven to extinction in Ireland previously due to shooting, trapping and poisoning and the Wicklow project’s success will ultimately depend on the continuing support and goodwill of the local community. We would again ask for all people shooting quarry species in Wicklow and Leinster to be fully aware that they may come in contact with Red Kites. We hope that all landowners can advise people shooting on their property that Red Kites must be left unmolested. These species are fully protected by the law and it is illegal to shoot Red Kites, by mistake or otherwise’. ‘Despite this early setback, we are still confident that we can re-establish a viable breeding population in Wicklow and that in time, through our on going awareness campaign, that the Red Kite will become a cherished part of Wicklow’s beautiful landscape and will gradually become an added attraction for Wicklow tourism. It is very unfortunate that we should recover a shot kite during National Heritage week – it once again highlights the importance that everyone needs to play a role in protecting Ireland’s natural and cultural Heritage.’

The NARGC, the National body representing the shooting community in Ireland, have supported this project from the outset. When contacted today, the Director, Des Crofton was horrified to learn of the incident and unreservedly condemned it.