Dead red kite is the 15th found illegally poisoned

Published on Friday 5 February 2010 22:06

A RED kite found dead on a main road had been poisoned, police have confirmed.

The bird was the 15th illegally-poisoned red kite to be found in Dumfries and Galloway from a re-introduced population of the birds of prey.

Independent toxicology analysis by the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture agency confirmed it had been illegally poisoned.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the bird's death is now under way.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said the red kite was less than a year old, having been ringed as a chick in June 2009. When it was ringed, it was also fitted with coloured wing tags, making it easier to identify in the field.

However, these wing tags were missing from the bird's remains, which were discovered by a motorist on the A75 at Castlehill, just west of Dumfries on 8 January.

Chris Rollie, Dumfries and Galloway area manager at RSPB Scotland said: "This is a sickening crime that is sure to disgust the entire local community and another tragic case of illegal poisoning of birds of prey in Scotland.

"The Galloway Red Kite Trail here in Dumfries and Galloway has been a real success story, drawing visitors from across the country and beyond.

"It has also provided a welcome boost to the local rural economy. It is a shame then that someone should risk sabotaging this by harming such a magnificent bird."