Injured Red Kite Bounces Back After Kent Roadside Rescue

A red kite found collapsed on a Kent roadside with head trauma and a damaged wing is defying the odds and preparing to fly free again.

A passerby discovered the injured bird of prey in Marden after it was likely hit by a vehicle while hunting for roadkill. The red kite was so badly hurt that rescuers at Folly Wildlife Rescue in Tunbridge Wells weren't sure it would survive the first half hour.

"He was so collapsed when he was found, he didn't put up a fight at all," a Folly spokesperson said. The charity typically warns against handling birds of prey without training because of their sharp talons, but this bird was too weak to resist help.

Against those grim early hours, the red kite has made steady progress. The rescue center now plans to move the bird to an aviary where it can stretch its wings and rebuild its strength through flight.

Once vets give the all-clear, the charity will release the red kite near the spot where it was found. This allows the bird to return to familiar territory and feeding grounds.

The Bright Side

This rescue highlights a bigger conservation victory. Red kites were completely extinct in England before the 1980s, wiped out by persecution and poisoning.

Thanks to a dedicated reintroduction program in the 1980s and 1990s, these magnificent raptors now soar over British skies again. Their comeback stands as one of the UK's greatest wildlife success stories.

Red kites primarily eat carrion, which explains why they're often spotted gliding over roads in search of roadkill. This feeding habit puts them at risk of vehicle strikes, but it also means concerned drivers can spot injured birds quickly.

The rescue center encourages anyone who finds an injured bird of prey to contact wildlife professionals rather than attempting handling themselves. Quick reporting can mean the difference between life and death for these protected birds.

From near-extinction to roadside recoveries, red kites continue writing their comeback story one rescue at a time.