Walker discovers pile of dead animals

There was also a ‘minefield of snares’ near the scene. The positioning of dead animals in this way is referred to as a ‘stink pit’; its purpose to lure more animals towards it, who will then become trapped in the snares adjacent to the pit. Stink pits are usually set by gamekeepers, who wish to kill any wildlife deemed to be a threat to the short-term survival of ‘game’ birds ahead of the shooting season.

• See more photos and the news story
• Read our own account of a stink pit, recently discovered on the Walshaw Estate