Listen to this article
Estimated 3 minutes
The audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.
UPDATE — Oct. 7, 2025: The CFIA confirmed on Oct. 7 that it had completed a cull of the Universal Ostrich Farms ostriches.
Shots were heard at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., on Thursday evening, coming from a straw bale enclosure that the farm’s flock had earlier been herded into.
Over a 30-minute period at 6:10 p.m. PT, CBC News reporters on the scene reported hearing about five rounds of about a dozen shots each.
It happened the same day the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear an appeal to save the flock at Universal Ostrich from a cull ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
That lifted any legal impediment to the killing of the flock that the CFIA says includes 300 to 330 birds.
For a full account of the story that unfolded at Universal Ostrich Farms after the country’s top court declined to hear the farm’s appeal, read CBC News’ live coverage here.
The cull was ordered after avian flu was detected at the farm last December.
The shots came from inside an enclosure made of straw bales where the CFIA had herded scores of the ostriches earlier in the day.
On Friday, the CFIA announced that it had used professional marksmen to carry out the cull, under CFIA veterinarian supervision.
The agency said that method was consistent with Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Medical Association recommendations.
The CFIA set up its operations for a cull of ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farm, including bales of straw stacked inside a fenced-off area. (Brady Strachan/CBC)
Supporters yelled Thursday night from about a dozen cars parked along the road that leads to the farm as the shots rang out.
They shouted “Stop!” and “Murderers!” amid the shots, which came after darkness fell.
The operation followed a statement from the CFIA saying it was moving ahead with the “complete depopulation and disposal” of the ostriches.
WATCH | Ostrich farm loses bid to appeal:
Supreme Court dismisses appeal in ostrich cull case
The Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed an appeal by a B.C. ostrich farm to stay an order to cull its flock of more than 300 birds. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says it will now be “moving forward” with a cull.
Shortly before the shots were heard, CBC reporters saw field lights turn on that illuminated the straw bale enclosure that was set up by the CFIA to pen in the ostriches.
Reporters also heard a drone flying above.