More than 120 British-born red kite chicks have been released in south-west Spain as part of a four-year conservation project aimed at reviving the local population, which has dwindled to fewer than 50 breeding pairs. This initiative follows a previous successful reintroduction in the UK where the species was nearly extinct in the 1980s. The red kite, a large bird of prey known for its reddish-brown body and distinctive calls, has since recovered in the UK, with more than 6,000 mating pairs currently estimated.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, red kite chicks from Spain and Sweden were introduced in the Chilterns, leading to a significant population increase. Dr. Ian Evans from Natural England commented on the initial uncertainty of the project’s success, noting that the first breeding pairs discovered in 1991 confirmed the viability of such efforts.
The current relocations from the UK to Extremadura aim to establish a self-sustaining population in Spain. Wildlife hospital AMUS is responsible for the care of the chicks before they are released. Each chick is tagged with a GPS backpack for tracking, and experts monitor their acclimatization in holding aviaries prior to release.
Although the release is a step forward, challenges remain. A significant mortality rate exists due to natural predators and human-related factors, such as illegal poisoning. Regulations and monitoring activities are being intensified to mitigate these threats, while conservationists are adapting release strategies to improve survival rates.
Only a quarter of red kites released during the project survived their first year. With three breeding pairs and two surviving chicks recorded so far in Spain, there is cautious optimism that these efforts will lead to population growth and broader implications for conservation strategies in other regions.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrez8x7l55o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss