The UK’s oldest known red kite has died in Oxfordshire.
Aragon, named after the region in Spain from where he was donated, was one of the red kites released in the Chilterns in 1994 as part of a UK reintroduction scheme.
Schoolchildren in Brize Norton recently found him injured outside their school and he was collected by Chrissie Gaines who runs a local owl sanctuary and was taken for veterinary attention. She believed he’d been attacked by other birds.
Unfortunately but unsurprisingly, he didn’t survive his injuries and died aged 29 years.
More details on BBC news website here
Raptor Persecution UK 
A heartwarming story that makes me smile, and he’s still “got that look” even at the end of his days…great! But I have to ask, did they X-Ray him? Just curious if he was carrying any old (shotgun) pellets from all his years / travels?
No he was to badly injured and very thin, the aim was to treat his wounds and try to feed him, his wounds responded to treatment and after two days of care and feeding he rallied round but a day later he went downhill rapidly. X-raying him was out of the question as he was to weak and it would have caused to much stress to him.
Thanks for the reply. I actually meant X -Raying him after he had died – it’s just my curiosity, as there would be no real point to it other than that. I’ve no doubt as is suggested he was injured being mobbed (perhaps by jackdaws, as they seem to get stuck in to any sickly / vulnerable bird) and perhaps was too old or weak to get away without taking a few too many heavy pecks to the head. What a life though! & how many descendants I wonder? Thumbs up from me for all your efforts with all the birds you help, thank you.
Maybe a Necropsy ?
Thanks for that! I never knew autopsy was supposed to be reserved for people.
Nice to know that he was in good hands when he died. A heart-warming story. Thanks for your efforts on his behalf.
At least he had a long life and went out on natural terms. Beautiful bird
Aragon had a charmed life and although in essence it is a sad story, it is one of those too seldom heard of stories of a bird of prey living and dying naturally.
Just shows how long they can live in the wild….. if given half a chance.
If the money was available I’d like to see all raptors and badgers X-rayed post mortum. I’m certain that illegal persecution is far more widespread that many people believe.
I’m not suggesting that was the case in this instance though.
It ought to be possible for a useful preliminary test for lead shot to be done with a high quality metal- detectorists “pinpointer”. This occurred to me when a succession of badgers kept appearing dead on a roadside near me, a quiet road not in a “badgery” area – which raised my suspicions. They hadn’t been snared or faces mauled up by dogs, or obviously hit by cars as I had a good look at them. One day I am going to borrow a “pinpointer” and test it on some shot rabbits, but alas it’s another oddball project I can’t find time for just now…
Maybe a Necropsy would be cheaper &/or better ?