The former boss of a leading bird sanctuary lied about running a rare breeding programme - so he could sell exotic species to the highest bidder, a court heard.
Keith Beaven convinced zoos and animal sanctuaries in Britain and Europe to lend him rare and endangered birds of prey - which he then sold.
The offences began after he ran into financial difficulties after buying the bird centre from top falconer Jemima Parrey-Jones for just under a million pounds in 2004.
But when she bought the centre back in 2008 for £1.17million she found only one disabled and elderly eagle owl left, out of the once impressive collection more than 120.
Keith Beaven of Newent birds of prey centre guilty | The Citizen
Keith Beaven convinced zoos and animal sanctuaries in Britain and Europe to lend him rare and endangered birds of prey - which he then sold.
The offences began after he ran into financial difficulties after buying the bird centre from top falconer Jemima Parrey-Jones for just under a million pounds in 2004.
But when she bought the centre back in 2008 for £1.17million she found only one disabled and elderly eagle owl left, out of the once impressive collection more than 120.
Keith Beaven of Newent birds of prey centre guilty | The Citizen