Man shot dead badgers and buzzards in ‘biggest cull of protected species’ ever seen by official

Tip off by walker led authorities to discover huge numbers of protected species had been targeted by gamekeeper

Goshawks, otters and peregrine falcons were among the species targeted by gamekeeper Alan Wilson (Getty )

The gamekeeper at a Scottish grouse-shooting estate illegally killed buzzards, goshawks, badgers, a peregrine falcon and an otter in what a wildlife official described as the “biggest cull of protected species” they had ever seen.

Alan Wilson, pleaded guilty to priming 23 illegal snares after a member of the public tipped off the League Against Cruel Sports about their use in Henlaw Wood, on the Longformacus Estate in Berwickshire where he lives and works.

In March 2016, a research officer found a so-called “stink pit” designed to attract animals, full of carcasses, Jedburgh sheriff court heard. Numerous snares were also discovered.

When they returned a year later, they found more dead animals, including badgers.

Wilson pleaded guilty to shooting and killing two goshawks, three buzzards, three badgers and an otter between March 2016 and May 2017, according to the Southern Reporter

The 60-year-old also pleaded guilty to nine charges, including the use illegal snares and possession of two bottles of carbofuran – one of the most lethal pesticides, known to be particularly poisonous to birds.

In a report on the findings, David Anderson, conservation manager of the Forestry Commission Scotland, wrote: “In 40 years working in wildlife management I have never seen so many protected species dead in such a small area.”

Wilson was the sole gamekeeper for the estate where he lived with his partner. He had previously worked as a gamekeeper in France for 10 years before moving to Scotland.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told him: “These charges are serious and numerous and before I decide on an appropriate sentence I will need a report to see what sentencing options are open to me. Society, whatever you may think, takes a dim view on this.”

Wilson, who will be sentenced next month, was also fined £400 last year and banned from keeping birds of prey for 10 years he admitted to failing to protect an eagle owl from suffering, The Times reported.