Preprint – LIFE EUROKITE Study on Red Kite Mortality
The LIFE EUROKITE project is pleased to announce the preprint of a major scientific paper titled “High human-caused mortality in GPS-tracked red kites across Europe”. The study is currently under review in npj Biodiversity and has not yet undergone a formal peer-review-process.
Nevertheless, the study represents the most comprehensive analysis to date of red kite (Milvus milvus) mortality across continental Europe. Between 2013 and 2022, researchers tracked 2,346 red kites using high-resolution GPS satellite telemetry, enabling the detection and investigation of 979 mortality events. Illegal killing, particularly poisoning, was identified as the primary non-natural cause of death, with poisoning alone accounting for 25% of all cases. Causes include use of rodenticides, predator control measures, and game management practices.
As a key ecosystem indicator species, the red kite plays an important role in European biodiversity monitoring.
This work sets a new benchmark in the use of advanced tracking technologies to inform wildlife conservation and demonstrates the critical importance of transboundary collaboration to reduce raptor mortality and ensure the long-term survival of the species.
As a key ecosystem indicator species, the red kite plays an important role in European biodiversity monitoring.
This work sets a new benchmark in the use of advanced tracking technologies to inform wildlife conservation and demonstrates the critical importance of transboundary collaboration to reduce raptor mortality and ensure the long-term survival of the species.
