Press release from Police Scotland (24 September 2025):
BIRD OF PREY FOUND TO BE POISONED IN PERTH & KINROSS AREA
Enquiries into the death of red kite are ongoing.
On 22 June, 2025 a dead red kite was found near to its nest to the north west of Braco, in the Perth and Kinross area.
Subsequent post mortem examination and toxicology testing have shown that the bird had ingested toxic levels of rodenticide.
The red kite was also found to have ingested the banned substance aldicarb. Aldicarb has been illegal in the UK since 2007 and no products containing this substance are approved for use in the UK.
Birds of prey, like all wild birds in Scotland, are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill or injure them.
Wildlife Crime Coordinator, Detective Sergeant David Lynn, said: “This red kite has been poisoned resulting in a very painful and distressing death. Legal rodenticides must be used with extreme caution to avoid the poisoning of non-target species or you may be liable to prosecution. The use of Aldicarb is an illegal and reckless act as this substance can be fatal for both animals and humans.
“Our investigation into this incident is continuing and we will pursue anyone who targets Scotland’s birds of prey. I would encourage anyone with any information in relation to this incident to contact us.
“We ask anyone using the area to be vigilant if they find anything suspicious, don’t touch it, but do take photos and report to Police Scotland immediately on 101.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 1176 of 23 September, 2025.
ENDS
Raptor Persecution UK 
Why is it months later this news is released. They should have been on it immediately they know who the culprits are and when they are found not only take this illegal poison from them but name and shame and fine 1 million pounds. Do the job properly and start setting examples. These estates can well afford it.
I’ve not seen the pair of Red kites that used to come regularly over my housing estate who I was always thrilled to see for around 8 months. I reported this to NE Red kites as I had done previously as they ask you to report any sightings of kites in the area to them. Every time I’ve contacted them to report sightings in the past I’ve had nice, informative responses from them bt this time when I asked if there’d been any reported sightings of these particular ones by anyone else they didn’t respond.
Can’t find NE Red kites anymore, they might have ceased to exist, you might have to use Friends of Red kites.
Absolutely abhorrent cruel this just isn’t acceptable where do they get these banned illegal substances from. I can’t buy a wormer for my horse without scrutiny. These beautiful birds and creatures need proper protection they must have an idea who has done this and arrest the culprits fine jail them . We are off to Scotland for our hols weekend so tainted already. Scumbags need stopping.
‘Bird of prey, poisoned illegally’…..no sh!t. The ignorance surrounding raptors never ceases to disgust me. The only motive for this heinous act, is money. Most raptors being the apex predator in their respective ‘fields’, are a threat to weak people. Instead of working with nature, we either shoot or poison them, not forgetting the desecration of their habitat, with the likes of wind and solar farms. The sooner we have smr’s, the better.
Well said Mark completely hit the nail on the head I hate it all and hope it finishes before I exit this planet.