Rare bird of prey injured after being shot near Shrewsbury

The bird was found by a member of the public in a field on Saturday in Sleap near Shrewsbury. It was seen spiralling out of the sky before crash landing into an electric fence in a field. It then stayed motionless as if stunned.

The majestic bird was picked up by the concerned member of the public and taken to the RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, where it is currently being cared for.

The Red Kite, which is afforded the highest degree of legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, was x-rayed and its body was found to be peppered with pellets from a shotgun.

As well has being shot full of lead the bird has damaged its eye in the fall. It is currently responding to treatment, but it is still too early to say whether it will pull through. Initially it was not eating well but it now appears to have regained its appetite.

Centre manager Lee Stewart said: “We are all quite horrified that someone has taken a pot shot at such a beautiful bird.

“It is even more frustrating because it is well known that the Red Kite was saved from extinction in the UK and has now been successfully re-introduced to England and Scotland – but it is still a protected species because of its historical decline.

“Shooting this bird is just mindless cruelty at its worst – we do not know if this bird was shot for fun, or some other motive, but people need to be aware that shooting a bird like this is a criminal offence and we will continue to prosecute anyone who commits crimes such as these. Anyone with information regarding this is urged to call the RSPCA inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

“We are grateful to the member of the public who managed to rescue this bird and bring it in to our care.”

Under the Wildlife and Countyside Act it is an offence to take, injure or kill a Red Kite and punishment can include fines up to £5,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to six months.