Fears for red kites as illegal killings hit an all-time high

Published on Thursday 27 December 2007 20:46

ILLEGAL killings of red kites have reached an all-time high in Scotland, it emerged yesterday.

Across the country, 11 cases involving the rare bird of prey have been confirmed throughout 2007, up from just five last year.

The total figure surpasses the previous highest total of ten recorded in 2001 – a year in which farmers were worried about wild animals spreading foot-and-mouth disease.

Experts claim there is mounting evidence that game managers are responsible for poisonings. The carcases of birds in nine of the 11 incidents across Scotland were recovered from shooting estates.

Last year, there were only five poisoning incidents involving red kites, all in the north of Scotland. However, this year there have been cases in Perthshire, Stirlingshire, South Lanarkshire and Nairn.

The figures from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scotland (RSPB) come just months after the organisation revealed that 2006 was the worst year in 25 years for the poisoning of birds of prey. The overall figure more than doubled from 19 to 45 in a year.

The charity believes the official figures are merely the "tip of the iceberg" regarding the true level of wildlife persecution around the country.

Although all of this year's red kite cases are still under investigation, no-one has been charged with any offences.

Experts say red kites fall victim to the widespread use of poisoned baits, even though they are often not the prime targets.

The RSPB said many estate owners were illegally using poisoned meat to deal with foxes or crows and hampering attempts to breed the birds.

Red kites were common in Scotland 250 years ago, but were hunted to extinction. Reintroduction schemes have been running since 1989 and around 80 breeding pairs now exist in Scotland.

Duncan Orr-Ewing, head of species at the RSPB, said: "Red kites pose no risk to game birds, but illegal poisoning is having a devastating effect on their numbers."

THE Scotsman is committed to helping the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals catch those responsible for killing birds of prey and other wildlife.

Information about raptor poisonings and other incidents of wildlife crime can be passed to police via the National Wildlife Crime Unit in North Berwick on 01620 893607.