A red kite. Brian Scott

A protected red kite has been found shot dead, just months after a bird from the same group was shot in the same county.

Police in Cumbria have launched an investigation after the young bird’s body was found in the Grizedale and Rusland area.

The raptor was marked with the number four, and was one of a group of 30 red kites released into the Grizedale Forest in August last year. Another of the group was found shot in Dentdale in September.

The most recent discovery was made on 20 April, when the bird’s body was found beneath a tree in which it had been roosting. It had a single shotgun wound.

PC John Shaw, Cumbria Constabulary’s wildlife and rural environmental crime officer, said: “This is the second known incident involving released kites to have died through persecution by shooting.

“It is disturbing and difficult to understand why anyone would want to shoot these birds, which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.”

Police pointed out convictions carry a possible six-month prison sentence and a fine up to £5,000. The police and the Forestry Commission are carrying out a full investigation.

Iain Yoxall, Forestry Commission wildlife ranger responsible for the red kite reintroduction programme at Grizedale Forest, said: “It is very sad news to hear that another red kite has been needlessly killed.

“These birds are a native species that were almost eliminated from the UK partly because of persecution.

“It has been fabulous to see them in the skies over Cumbria again and they are starting to become a fantastic addition to the region’s biodiversity. It just does not make sense why people would want to harm or kill them.”

Red kites are predominantly carrion feeders and do not attack game birds or livestock. The Forestry Commission consulted widely with local landowners as part of the reintroduction project and established a special advisory group, which includes Natural England, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the British Association of Shooting and Conservation.

Anyone with any information about the incident is urged to contact Cumbria police wildlife crimes officers on 0845 33 00 247 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.