Billionaire Olivier Bouygues to Stand Trial for Killing Protected Birds
French billionaire Olivier Bouygues—brother of Martin Bouygues and son of the telecom empire founder—is facing serious charges for allegedly hunting and killing protected bird species on his private estate. Authorities discovered a mass grave of rare birds, weapons, traps, and evidence of organized illegal activity.
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A Shocking Discovery on a Private Estate
In a dramatic investigation led by the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) and the Orléans gendarmerie, a raid was conducted on the private estate of Olivier Bouygues in Fontenaille, near La Ferté-Saint-Aubin in central France. The search unearthed what officials described as a “charnier”—a mass grave—of protected birds.
Among the remains were several species protected under French and EU conservation laws: the common kestrel (faucon crécerelle), great egret, harrier, buzzard, and cormorant. Investigators also discovered hunting weapons, traps, and documents cataloging species marked for destruction.
Even a digger used to bury carcasses was reportedly found on-site.
Charges of Organized Wildlife Destruction
Olivier Bouygues will face trial in March 2026 before the criminal court of Orléans. He and four other individuals are charged with “destruction of protected species in organized group activity”—a serious environmental crime under French law.
If found guilty, Bouygues could face up to seven years in prison and a €750,000 fine. The involvement of others suggests a wider illegal hunting operation allegedly carried out under cover of privilege and wealth.
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Protected Birds Slaughtered: A Growing Concern in France
The species found in the mass grave are all strictly protected under European and French law. The kestrel, for example, is a small falcon vital to balancing rodent populations, while the great egret and cormorant are rare waterbirds facing increasing threats from habitat loss and climate change.
Environmental advocates see this case as symbolic of broader concerns in France about elite impunity in environmental crimes. The Office for Biodiversity has emphasized the importance of prosecuting such violations to send a clear message that wildlife protection is not optional—even for the powerful.
What’s Next?
Bouygues’ defense team has not yet commented publicly. The trial in 2026 is expected to be closely watched, both by the media and by environmental groups hoping for a strong precedent.
Meanwhile, the OFB continues to monitor the estate, and further investigations may reveal whether similar acts have occurred in other regions or estates linked to the accused.
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