Trial of Olivier Bouygues for killing protected animals on a property in France

The trial concerns events at Olivier Bouygues' 650-hectare Fontenaille estate in the Sologne region in central France. Businessman, son of the founder of the Bouygues group, operating, among others, in construction, media and telecommunications, where he breeds deer, wild boars and small game.

A mass grave of animals was found

According to the daily "Le Monde", the investigation was initiated after an anonymous tip in March 2025. A few weeks later, during a search of the property, police discovered a mass grave of animals in an advanced state of decomposition, partially covered with lime. Analysis of the remains showed that they belonged to, among others, to kestrels, cormorants, buzzards and white herons - species that have been protected in France for over 40 years.

At the residence, investigators also found about a hundred jaw traps banned since 1995, pesticides withdrawn from use in France and unregistered weapons.

The key evidence is said to be documents with lists of animals referred to as "pests" for which bonuses were paid for killing. Such a reward system may itself be legal, but - as the indictment points out - in this case it also included species that were not allowed to be hunted.

The billionaire claims he didn't know anything about it

Olivier Bouygues appeared in court along with the estate manager and four employees. The employees of the estate partially admitted to the charges, but did not blame their employer.

The billionaire argued that he learned about the actions of his subordinates only after the investigation began. Can you imagine my surprise when I found out about this? I had no reason to question the trust I placed in them, said in court the businessman, whose net worth is estimated by Forbes at $3.6 billion.

The defense argues that workers acted to protect the ponds and farm from predators, not to intentionally eliminate protected animals. However, the prosecutor's office has a different position - in its opinion, the evidence indicates the existence of a permanent, effective and rewarded system of killing protected species.

The prosecutor's office demands a severe punishment

If the court finds that the crimes were committed as part of an "organized group", the defendants face up to seven years in prison and PLN 750,000. euro fine.

The prosecutor's office asked Bouygues for a five-year suspended prison sentence, the maximum fine and a five-year ban on professional activities related to agriculture and animal breeding for recreational hunting.