Gunshot brings down rare Red Kite in Shropshire
A rare Red Kite – one of only 100 of its kind in Shropshire – has been found peppered with shotgun pellets in a county field.
The Red Kite, which was discovered at Sleap, near Wem, is now fighting for its life at a specialist wildlife centre.
Its eye was also damaged when it plummeted on to an electric fence after being shot.
Vets said the bird is responding to treatment but it is still too early to say whether it will survive.
The Red Kite, which has a wingspan of 2m (5.5ft), was lying motionless when it was found by a member of the public last Saturday.
X-rays showed shotgun pellets in its body.
The bird is now being cared for at the RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre near Whitchurch. 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."
The Red Kite is given the highest degree of legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
In 2010 there were 17 known Red Kite nests in Shropshire and observations by Shropshire Birds suggest there are more than 100 individual birds now.
The entire population of kites around the world is estimated to be between just 20,000 and 23,000 breeding pairs.
People who take, injure or kill a Red Kite face a fine of up to £5,000 and/or a prison sentence of up to six months.
Anyone with information regarding the incident in Sleap is urged to call the RSPCA inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
