Poisoning of birds of prey puts reintroduction project at risk

THE continued poisoning of protected birds of prey, such as eagles and red kites, is putting a serious question mark over ambitious projects to reintroduce these birds here, wildlife experts warned yesterday.

In what has been described as the worst spate of poisoning in recent years, 10 such birds, including three kites, two white-tailed eagles, a golden eagle, three buzzards and a peregrine falcon, have been confirmed poisoned this year in the Republic.

Dr Allan Mee, manager of a white-tailed eagle reintroduction programme in Co Kerry, yesterday confirmed a second eagle had been poisoned in the Beaufort area, near Killarney, inside a month.