Bruce Berry was ordered to return for sentencing in four weeks

Bruce Berry, 63, was convicted of five counts relating to breaches of wildlife protection laws, by a jury at Southampton Crown Court on Tuesday.

He was cleared of a charge of releasing barn owl chicks into the wild and will be sentenced on 6 October.

In June 2003, an undercover BBC report revealed mistreatment of birds at the New Forest Owl Sanctuary in Ringwood.

Berry's offences included the theft of a saker falcon, selling birds without a licence and displaying birds and tortoises without a licence.

The judge directed the jury to find him not guilty of using false documents to obtain licences.

Pc Geoff Culbertson, Hampshire's wildlife crime officer, said: "Mr Berry often stated that he was 'The New Forest Owl Sanctuary', and therefore held a position of power and control over all that happened at the site.

"His failure to comply with international wildlife law has led to his conviction today.

"We are extremely pleased with the result today and would encourage other such sanctuaries and organisations to ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities in relation to endangered species."

The New Forest Owl Sanctuary closed in July 2003 and has since reopened under new ownership.

Chris Packham, presenter of the Inside Out South programme that carried out the investigation, said at the time: "As a bird lover, I was sickened by some of the secret filming.

"This is supposed to be a sanctuary, a safe haven, but we know that they have killed healthy birds."

Berry had denied the allegations, saying the sanctuary passed zoo inspections.