Back from the brink: UK red kites aid Spanish cousins
Summary
Conservationists have sent over 120 red kite chicks from the UK to Spain as part of a project to boost the bird's population in southwestern Spain. The initiative follows a successful red kite reintroduction in the UK, where the birds had previously been nearly extinct but are now thriving.Key Facts
- More than 120 red kite chicks from the UK have been sent to southwestern Spain over four years.
- The red kite once faced extinction in the UK but now has about 6,000 pairs across the country.
- Spain received red kite chicks to help increase their population due to threats from predators and human activities.
- The project involves collecting and relocating about 30 red kite chicks each year.
- Red kites are identified by their reddish-brown bodies, forked tails, and "mewing" calls.
- The chicks are fitted with GPS backpacks for monitoring after being transported to a wildlife hospital in Spain.
- The red kite chicks are acclimated in aviaries near the Portuguese border before being released.
- The species is endangered in some areas due to persecution through illegal activities like poisoning and shooting.
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