A MAN who died in a shooting tragedy on farmland in Weardale, County Durham, on Friday was a conservationist who worked to save England's otters from extinction.
Barrister Stephen Franklin, 57, from Wacton, near Diss, in Norfolk, was executive officer for the Otter Trust, which runs a sanctuary near Bowes, County Durham, from its base in Suffolk.
He had been a trustee of the charity for many years.
He was killed while shooting rabbits with a colleague on land owned by the trust near Newlands Hall and West Newlands Farm on the A689 between Wolsingham and Frosterley.
Mr Franklin was married with two adult daughters and was based at chambers in Norwich. He had also worked in Hong Kong.
Police have said his death is not suspicious. The Health and Safety Executive are also investigating.
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