A protected Red Kite suffered an “agonising death” from lethal Carbofuran poisoning – a banned pesticide that could kill a man with just a quarter of a teaspoon.
Wildlife investigators said the bird of prey was found dead near a popular woodland walking trail in East Sutherland in the Highlands in April. Following post-mortem examination and toxicology analysis, experts now believe the bird was poisoned with highly dangerous Carbofuran – a pesticide banned for over 20 years.
It has a grim history of being used to kill birds of prey – while also posing a deadly danger to people, pets and other wildlife. Endangered Red Kites are fully protected by law, meaning people caught killing or harming them can be sent to jail.
RSPB Scotland received a call in April this year from a dog walker who had found a Red Kite dead on the ground near a woodland trail adjacent to hill farm land at Spinningdale, near Dornoch. Investigators notified Police Scotland, collected the bird and sent it for analysis, with the results consistent with Carbofuran poisoning being the cause of the bird’s death.
Police Scotland and partner agencies conducted a search Of the area but found no evidence to identify a suspect – and are now appealing to the public for help. Ian Thomson, RSPB Investigations Manager, said: “We are very grateful to the person that found this dead kite for reporting it to us.
“It is appalling that individuals are still using this poison, decades after it was banned, and this bird will have suffered an agonising and horrific death. Carbofuran is a highly toxic substance and is one of several banned pesticides still used by criminals targeting birds of prey or other protected wildlife.
“Its possession or use is illegal and placing it out in the open poses a potentially deadly and indiscriminate risk not only to wildlife but to people and pets. We ask anyone using the area to be vigilant if they find anything suspicious, don’t touch, but do take photos and report to Police Scotland immediately on 101.”
The RSPB’s latest Birdcrime report, released last month, found there have been 159 poisoning incidents involving birds of prey since 2009. In recent years, Carbofuran has become the pesticide most frequently used against birds of prey.
Of all UK counties, the Highland area had the second highest number of confirmed incidents of raptor persecution over the last 15 years. If you notice a dead or injured bird of prey in suspicious circumstances, call Police Scotland on 101 and fill in the RSPB’s online reporting form.
Information can also be reported anonymously via the RSPB’s confidential Raptor Crime Hotline on 0300 999 0101.
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