GPS transmitter found: riddle about the disappearance of red kites

The animal protection organization Birdlife reported a case of suspected wild animal crime on Sunday: On April 5, a GPS transmitter set its last location at the edge of a forest in the Höring district of the municipality of Auerbach (Braunau district). It was attached to the remains of a domestic pigeon with a zip tie. A young red kite was originally fitted with the GPS module in southern Sweden last June. The bird of prey has disappeared.

The GPS data allow detailed conclusions about the whereabouts of the GPS transmitter: On March 28, the red kite, coming along the northern edge of the Alps from its winter quarters in southern France, reached the district of Braunau. He was in the border area of ​​the communities of Auerbach and Feldkirchen/Mattighofen until his disappearance on April 5.

Lack of movement of the GPS module suggested that something must have happened to the red kite. Birdlife conservationists have been asked to help with the search. “Instead, we found the remains of a domestic pigeon with the red kite’s GPS transmitter attached to its foot with a cable tie,” says Florian Billinger. It can be assumed that the bird of prey was being illegally pursued. Since 2017, 13 red kites have been proven or are very likely to be illegal in Upper Austria fallen victim to persecution.

wanted witnesses

BirdLife Austria is asking witnesses who can provide useful information about this incident to report the incident via the birdcrime hotline +43 660 869 2327 or the reporting platform www.kaiseradler.at. The tip can also be received anonymously.