This includes the latest victim found on the outskirts of Inverness. All five poisoning incidents were on or next to sporting estates. Enquiries by the police and officials from Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department (SERAD), have so far been inconclusive.

Stuart Housden, Director RSPB Scotland said; "Red kites pose no threat to landowners as they are largely carrion eaters. It is a disgrace that crimes like these are still being committed in Scotland. There are so many good estates and farmers who go out of their way to look after their kites they really are being let down by a selfish minority."

John Markland, Chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) commenting on the discovery said; "This is a totally despicable act. The fact that a kite has been killed is bad enough, but the person who did this could also have killed a dog or even a person. The poison used is more toxic than strychnine and both the poisoned bait and the dead kite, which swallowed it, would pose a risk. The dead bird was found within sight of the city of Inverness. The contempt for others is breathtaking."

Inspector John Grierson, Northern Constabulary said; "It is particularly disheartening that at the start of the new millennium, the very reason that the species became extinct 120 years ago is still the main cause of death today."

With the Scottish population of red kites at only 39 pairs it is still vulnerable and recent events give cause for grave concern. The Black Isle is the best location in Scotland to view Red Kites. Since 1997, live CCTV pictures from a nearby nest have been relayed to the Tourist Information Office at North Kessock to encourage wildlife tourism.

RSPB Press release 6th April 2001