A family in Edgewood British Columbia says their herd of over three hundred ostriches was destroyed despite being healthy, raising questions about the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s practices for diagnosing disease in animals. The family reports that the birds were largely thriving and that what little illness occurred resembled a treatable bacterial infection rather than avian influenza. Yet they say the agency allegedly used testing methods the family describes as questionable to declare the flock infected, ultimately ordering the cull of the entire herd.
The family says that in December 2024 some young birds became sick with symptoms similar to a bacterial infection called pseudomonas, which had been previously diagnosed on the farm by a veterinarian. They report contacting their veterinarian immediately, but no one could attend during the Christmas season. The family says they treated the birds for pseudomonas and that most of the affected birds improved while sixty-nine of the youngest birds died. They note that the majority of the flock remained healthy.
The family says that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency classified high pathogenic avian influenza as having a mortality rate above fifty percent, while the farm’s mortality rate was approximately sixteen percent. They report that agency officials allegedly agreed by phone that the illness seemed consistent with a bacterial infection rather than avian influenza. The family says they consented to testing at the agency’s request, hoping for clarity.
According to the family, the agency allegedly took only two PCR samples from two birds that had been dead for several hours and denied requests to test healthy live birds. Less than twenty-four hours later, the family says they were informed the birds had tested positive for avian influenza and that the entire flock would be culled. The family reports that when they asked to have live birds independently tested, they were warned in writing that doing so could result in fines up to two hundred thousand dollars and six months in jail per each bird tested. They say they felt intimidated and powerless.
The family also says that attempts to apply for an exemption were unsuccessful. They report that the forms provided were written for chicken farms and not applicable to ostriches, and that agency officials allegedly insisted they be completed exactly as provided. According to the family, the exemption was immediately rejected.
By mid-January the family reports that the birds had fully recovered under treatment for the suspected bacterial infection, and that inspections by the agency later confirmed that the birds appeared healthy. They point to the agency’s own avian influenza fact sheet, which states that the incubation period is two to fourteen days, and say that after nine months and a hot summer there should have been no lingering viral contamination.
The family alleges that despite these circumstances, the agency proceeded with the cull. On November sixth the entire herd of over three hundred ostriches was violently killed with gunfire. The family describes the experience as heartbreaking and traumatizing, and say the loss was not only of animals but of decades of care and deep emotional bonds.
The family says their experience illustrates what they view as a deeply troubling pattern: that animals can be declared diseased and killed based on testing methods they consider questionable, rather than clear scientific evidence. They hope that by speaking out, others will be aware of the risks small farms face when confronted with government disease control measures.
What happened in BC at the Ostrich Farm was a MASSACRE INHUMANE AND CRUEL!!! I am still having trouble sleeping this was a senseless and horrific MASSACRE I sent emails to the CFIA MPS signed the Petition that Scott Anderson put out Shared countless videos of these precious Ostriches.
But the SUPREME COURT CFIA RCMP LIBERAL GOVERNMENT SUPER SAVE Just went ahead and let it happen
They all need to be accountable but this needs to come from a Source outside of Canada because I don’t trust any of them!!
This definitely had me very upset and stressed. It was so unnecessary and very cruel by cfia and others who helped them!
Every time a sweet animal comes into the store, I get tears in my eyes. My sleeps are broken, nightmares. Trouble eating. I’m typically easy going, happy, but now, moody and easily angered. The images of the ostriches, make me so angry, that when karma find those who did this, I will smile.
This is absolute madness!!!!
I will forever be traumatized by this whole massacre. The inhumane treatment of the ostriches from the moment the CFIA took over the property is the sickest and most sadistic thing I have ever scene, a real life horror movie. I am still in shock as to how on earth the CFIA did this most heinous act and why the RCMP did nothing to stop them. I have felt ill for weeks, can’t think straight or sleep. I don’t want to live in a country with people and agencies are this corrupt and evil.
Since the culling I have not been able to sleep. I posted many videos prior to this happening. I still can’t fathom that these ostriches were not tested. The CFIA would not speak to the family. Asked Karen and Katie to feed the birds and then had them arrested. Allowing Dave Bilinski to enter the pen to check on Spirit, but not allow him to help her. She died under their watch. The RCMP proved numerous times they were there for the CFIA. When they were told the ostriches weren’t being fed and watered properly no charges were laid for abusing animals.
What this culling showed the world is how corrupt our RCMP, CFIA, Justice Department and Government is. I’m ashamed. Not sure I’ll ever be able to forgive our country for this massacre
I have followed this story from the beginning. It makes me sick to my stomach every time I see images of the slaughter. I believe the whole world who followed the story feels the same. This is not the Canada I grew up in. I don’t trust any government officials from the top down including the so called Prime Minister. All I feel is anger to see what they are doing to my beautiful country that I used to be so proud of, not anymore. I feel that Canada has been taken over by a bunch of psychopaths. I will never be able to trust any government agencies. I strongly believe that big pharma was behind all of this to get rid of competitors and that is why they are trying to outlaw natural medicines. We are at war for our lives against a very evil group.
I will never forget what this savage agency has done to these healthy Ostriches. This was a vindictive massacre of innocent birds. Aided by mass amount of RCMP. Heartless souls that hold no compassion or value for life. This was horrifying torture for the birds, the family and supporters there and around the world! This agency seems to be rogue and needs to be dismantled. They all need to be held accountable for their actions, complete transparency, independent investigation by an outside party! I am completely shaken and heartbroken!
I have never been so worked up about what the Government has done in the past but I started following the story of the Universal Ostrich Farms and it really opened my eyes to the corruption and over reach. I talk with anyone that would listen, I have written emails, made phone calls and shared every post I could find trying to save them. The needless massacre of these beautiful, majestic, historic souls is a disgrace on Canada. The Government, CFIA, RCMP, I can’t trust any of them to protect and serve this once beautiful country. I really believe that some of the hens from the farm were taken while under the CFIA so the Government can do their own research. This is not the Canada I want to live in.
I have been following the Universal Ostrich family over months. CFIA and RCMP showed Gestapo or Nazis behavior. Pictures and videos from the mountains down into the pens showed less birds, especially less hens. CFIA starved the ostriches, did not give Spirit her electrolyte water, tormented them with drones and lights. Isolated them from the farmers. Gunned them down at night 900 rounds, and chopped off their heads. A video of CFIA and RCMP not following PPE protocol. Super Save supplying fencing and transport of dead ostriches though they do not have biosecurity rating. The CFIA have a Stamp Out policy, it is not a rule or a law but it was like this was punishment because how dare a farmer stand up to us! CFIA could of tested these birds and backed down. Instead CFIA continues to burn through Tax payer money. There needs to be a public overseer board that looks at each case that CFIA and RCMP works on. Our government should be answering to Canadians!’Government overreach is every Canadians nightmare!
I put off all summer going to the farm, about a two hour drive from me. I don’t get involved in government based things I kept telling myself. (I’m not overly proud of that.) Finally when the cfia moved onto the farm and forced the owners into NO contact with the ostriches (after arresting them when they did have permission) I made my way there. The farm was peaceful and when someone mentioned to me later about me joining the protestors I was surprised. I didn’t see protestors. I met many people who loved the Ostriches. I stood by the fence and sang quietly to them many times… I spent 5 different days on the farm. They always stopped and came as close as the fences allowed when I sang, or someone danced, or played the drums. They often made deep eye contact with me and I can’t explain the pull that creates on the heart deep within. When I left my second day, one of the hen’s stared at me as I said good-bye. I teared up… I had a feeling she was telling me that they would die, and at some level they were there to help make a shift in the world. I hoped I was just having an overactive mind thought.
I watched the bravery of the owners and their family… I spoke with a nephew and niece. The farm had their own surveillance volunteers to keep things peaceful. They and any visitors to the farm pulled together… we talked… we shared hope. We also shared the frustration of the the cfia not communicating. I listened first hand to RCMP repeating that Katie’s message was passed on with no reply from the cfia. I also heard false reporting from some of our local newscasters… not the private ones… but the ones my neighbour’s were listening to on the news. When drones from the RCMP caused Spirit to injure herself running from them the report came on the news that, “Oh one ostrich seems to be sick.” (My friend’s interpretation of their report.) I was quick to tell her that no bird was sick and they mostly likely were referring to the injured bird.
The more I visited and kept up with Social Media reports associated with the farm a deep shock started sinking in. It no longer was just the threat of the ostriches which sickened me… it was the realization of the agency’s power. I grew up to the saying, “Government FOR the people”… was I being brainwashed from a young age.? (I’m now retired.) How had an Agency like the cfia become so powerful that the RCMP seemed to jump when they spoke. The man on the farm who was arrested for scooping some pre existing bird seed from behind the RCMP tape (but inside the blue fence that had no signage saying not to pass it) showed no malice or attitude towards the RCMP when he did so LIVE. The RCMP were parked where they could see him and he looked over before sliding off the truck he was on to see if they were waving him off. He wasn’t arrested that day. It was the next day that the RCMP took him away in handcuffs because the cfia said to do so. I was home that day watching a live video and wept… I researched if that was a new law to have to handcuff but it’s not… the RCMP had a choice.
From then on my life, my emotions were turned upside down. I’m strong and although emotions are something I work on I can usually cope. But what I saw going on with these two agencies started to crack me. My realization that the odds were against the Ostriches living churned within me. I heard myself saying, “I am broken, how can I ever put myself back together?” I might manage to finish off my life but my children and my grandchildren will have to live in this country long after I’m gone. My heart went out to those who had spent far more time than I had just as volunteers. I can’t fully imagine how deeply the family will be scarred.
My friend and I booked a motel room in the city across the ferry the night before the Supreme Court answer was due. We were at the farm before 6:30 a.m. I’d say at least 130 to 150 people were there plus the family in their home. Seeing Dave walk up to us choking back his own tears said it all before his voice was heard. Not long afterwards I saw a Kelowna CBC reporter had written: There was about two dozen supporters (or he may have called us protestors) showed up. The birds were about to be killed and he printed a LIE with a picture of a small section of us. Knowing that the media is what the masses across Canada read and trust sickens me. WHY would he stand amongst over 100 people and make it sound like the Farm really didn’t have many who cared? Of course the online support was also huge worldwide!
I spent the entire afternoon on the Hwy. I listened to people grieving. I heard desperate hurting people use language over and over that cut deep into my own body. To judge them is unfair. I almost wished that I had the freedom inside of me to lend my voice… We were literally watching the ostriches not already in the Kill Pen be herded in small groups towards it. Of course raw language was used… but there was always someone cautioning to choose words that wouldn’t get them arrested. These were not protestors. These were Lovers of the Ostriches and of the family falling apart inside as reality set in… desperate people opening their mouths and allowing some emotions out. Was it enjoyable to hear? No… but I felt compassion along side of them. People took turns offering hugs and even silent listening. It was heartbreaking yet somehow gives me hope as well.
There is so much more I could say. I watched the shooters arrive. I watched one Lone Rooster standing proudly way across the fields that they were unable to round up. He’d been lovingly named Rebel, or by some, Tom, the Rebel. I watched him with binoculars until it got too dark… knowing they’d come for him in the morning. He would have been killed by some of the shots fired Fri. morning I presume… shot outside the kill area… not even sure if that would have been legal. Just as dusk was settling on us one of the men arrived back to say we were not allowed back on the Farm!! Further shock. We were only a few mins (walking distance) from the RCMP’s set up at the road to the farm. No warning… just NO ONE was allowed through. Some man, in normal street clothes crawled along the bales sticking different coloured flags in the bales… and something silver (which maybe was a ladder to get up there.) Dark set in. The flood light aimed to block our view further came on…The bullets began…
My friend and I drove one woman, whose husband was down on the farm, to see if she could go be with him. She, I believe is a senior as I am. She was turned back… to walk along the dark Hwy. to where others were stranded. The RCMP told me it was something about ‘safety.’ Meanwhile reinforcement police cars had whizzed by us on the highway a little before dark. There they were milling around at the top of the road to the farm. I think there were all of 12 people that ever showed up to challenge them blocking us. The RCMP stood with their elbows out as if those facing them had weapons. I asked one that came to our car, if this was about safety, how did they think that leaving men and women in the dark along a winding mountain highway was safe? The floodlight aimed at the road could possibly blind truck drivers etc. (I realize now it had nothing to do with OUR safety but the safety of the cfia… because if it was safe for those still down in the camp then it would have been safe for families to reunite in the same location). The officer’s reply was, “We’re looking into rectifying that situation. The next day I heard that Dave was finally allowed to go up on the highway, hours later, to bring down those who didn’t have their cars. So much for them rectifying anything. Another lie to pacify…
I don’t like to say I’m traumatized but after a week I realize that something has happened to my nervous system. I will suddenly burst into tears when I’m out walking with my dog. My neighbours are quick to shut me down if I try to talk about things. One or two neighbours have stretched to let me share some… I am grateful because holding it all in is so painful. People don’t appear to want to hear the truth from people who were there. I am so shocked about that. Not only do they not want to hear the truth they just don’t seem to want to hear anything. I wonder if I have been like that in my life with people. I guess they just don’t see what I see. They don’t feel the threat to our country… to their offspring… to the farmers and animals of Canada. A powerful Agency, two counting the RCMP, were involved in this horrendous killing of healthy innocent animals with a lifespan of up to 70 yrs. (That used to me the life expectancy of some humans! What happened to, “Government BY the People, FOR the People”? Is it my generation that started handing it over; didn’t we teach our children what to take time to watch for. I also grew up hearing about how if you heated a frog in a pan of water… and slowly turned up the heat, that it would be cooked alive. I remember telling people about it… never realizing that I and the rest of the population were already sitting in that very pot of water… and the heat is being slowly turned up… Somehow the ones in control of that temperature need stopped. May the death of these birds not be in vain…
Those birds had decades of science in them and all the CFIA does is protect big pharma from competition. Evil and corrupt! Stand up Canada!
Those beautiful healthy birds had decades of science in them that could benefit humanity. The only thing CFIA does is protect big pharma from competition. My heart breaks for the family, supporters and those amazing healthy birds. I prayed to God for a miracle, but maybe he is using them to open people’s eyes to the truth. I’m so sorry we couldn’t save them.
If Canadians don’t stand up as a whole and take control of these things, immediately, Canada will never be the same and you will own nothing. You can not come back or recover from what is being done
This was not just done in the most cruel and terrorizing way but illegally. Criminal charges should be filed for a breach of the Charter Rights of Canadian Citizens. Totally unconstitutional and many of these people that were trapped at the kill zone, unable to get away from the horrific sounds and gunshots throughout the night, will now forever be traumized with a form of PTSD from this experience.
Please provide the documentation necessary to protest this horror!
The cull of the BC ostriches has left me — and so many others — carrying a heavy emotional weight. The way it was handled has caused deep distress, leaving people feeling traumatized, overwhelmed with sadness, anger, and constant stress. It wasn’t just the loss of the animals, but the sheer senselessness and brutality of the process that has stayed with us. The images, the helplessness, and the lack of compassion shown have created lasting emotional scars that we’re still trying to process.
I will forever be haunted by fear and pain those innocent Ostriches had to endure at the hands of humans and will forever leave me scarred.
I watched and followed the ostriches culling.I was heartbroken of the outcome.
I’m not ok. What unfolded on this farm, Nov 6th and 7th will forever haunt me. No animal should ever suffer the way these beautiful, majestic birds did. This was a total disgusting act of animal cruelty that I never hope to witness again. I am not proud to be Canadian, after witnessing this terror on Canadian soil. I am disgusted with this Country. Shame on every evil soul who played a part in this senseless massacre of helpless, defenseless, Ostriches. Shame on you all! I hope you all meet the same fate one day. You are all, heartless evil humans.
Unbelievable how they can just come and end all those loving birds lives. It’s going to get a lot worse before it gets better. Everyone needs to stand together.
Edgewood where I first learned of the Stamping Out policy. When I joined the supporters I just wanted to let the government know that, as a taxpayer, I was in support of spending the dollars to test the animals before any were culled. I thought that was all there was too it. I could never have been so wrong. What I watched unfold in Edgewood will forever haunt me. The way Edgewood was handled was wrong in every conceivable way. Without thought, without scientific proof and without caring. It has divided people, created mistrust of authorities and has led to many larger causes that it did not need to….. had it been handled properly. Shame on the CFIA.