Reward is offered by RSPB after tests show red kite was poisoned

Yesterday Tadcaster police and the RSPB launched an appeal for information after the red kite was discovered in Tadcaster.

The appeal came as the RSPB announced it has offered a £1,000 reward for anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest and charging of those responsible for the bird’s death.

It was found at Toulston Polo Ground, Tadcaster, in October 2012, by a member the public. Following a post mortem examination and forensic testing it has been found to have died from the illegal poison Carbofuran which was banned in 2001.

The authorities say that between 2002 and 2011, there were 292 confirmed cases of birds of prey being killed by Carbofuran poisoning in England.

PC Sarah Ward, of Tadcaster Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This crime is appalling. The use of Carbofuran is both unlawful and highly dangerous. It is highly toxic and a few granules could kill.”

The red kite, which died, was born in Wales in 2009 and is believed to be one of a breeding pair, which first bred at Tadcaster Grammar School in 2012. They are the first-known Welsh born red kites to have bred in Yorkshire.

Bob Elliot, RSPB Head of Investigations said: “Since their successful release back into the Yorkshire countryside in 1999, red kites have suffered at the hands of illegal poisoning in North Yorkshire with this incident being the twentieth poisoned kite since 2000.“

Anyone who can help to identify those responsible should call Tadcaster police on 101.