Red Kite killed by poison

A rare bird of prey has been found dead after ingesting a fatal dose of poison, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said today.

The discovery of the body of a red kite is the fourth of its kind to die from poison abuse in less than 12 months.

The bird was one of 19 red kites which were re-introduced to the wild aspart of the Yorkshire Red Kite Project which aims to recolonise areas of Yorkshire where they were once popular.

RSPB North of England regional director Andy Bunten said: ‘‘The abuse of poison in the countryside in this way is illegal, indiscriminate and dangerous.

‘‘There can be no excuse for this kind of act. Someone out there will know who is responsible for using poison to kill wildlife and I appeal to them to speak out before another incident occurs.’’

The bird was found dead at an undisclosed site near Otley last month.

Staff members working on the Yorkshire Red Kite Project made the discovery after monitoring signals from a tiny tracking device attached to the bird.

It follows the death of another of the red kites from the re-introduction scheme which was believed to have died after feeding on a mouse which hadeaten poisoned bait near Pateley Bridge in North Yorkshire last spring.

A similar project in northern Scotland has suffered the loss of three redkites which were found poisoned this year.

The Yorkshire Red Kite Project a partnership between English Nature andthe RSPB is calling for action against wildlife crime.

Brian Davies, English Nature Conservation Officer, said: ‘‘The time has come to take a stand against this kind of wildlife crime and make it clear to those responsible that their activities must stop.’’

North Yorkshire Police have been informed of the death of the bird.