Endangered bird shot and killed
Arklow, IR (UK)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007
Disposition: Open
Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!
Environmentalists trying to return a red kite population to the wild in Ireland said Wednesday that one of the recently released birds had been found shot dead.
The red kite, a small bird of prey that continues to breed in several other parts of Western Europe, was hunted to extinction in Ireland in the early 19th century.
Activists from the Golden Eagle Trust, which seeks to protect and promote rare or extinct birds of prey, released 30 red kites six weeks ago in Wicklow, a hilly county south of Dublin, in hopes that some would nest and breed successfully.
But the continuing threat from farmers and hunting clubs was underscored by this week's discovery of a red kite that had been killed by a shotgun blast on a farm near the Wicklow coastal town of Arklow. Police said they would investigate, but had made no arrests.
"Obviously, after all the hard work and support for the project in Wicklow, nationally and in Wales, it is very worrying to recover a shot kite so soon after they have been released," said Damian Clarke, manager of the project to restore red kites.
Red kites, notable for their exceptionally broad-forked tail, have weak beaks and talons, and are scavengers that pose no risk to livestock. They feed on mice, rabbits, other birds, worms, insects and carrion. References
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