Fire at Universal Ostrich Farm under investigation, birds get stay of execution from Canada's top court
By Castlegar Source
The BC RCMP’s presence at the Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, BC is ongoing, at the request of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) while their operation is underway, according to a press release issued Wednesday.
In the early morning hours on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, shortly before 4 a.m., emergency crews were dispatched to the farm after reports of a fire were received.
“Upon arrival, bales of hay were found to be fully engulfed in flames and smoke. The fire crew was able to contain the fire after several hours,” the press release said.
The cause of the fire, which is believed to be suspicious, is currently under investigation.
“The RCMP would like to emphasize that the CFIA is the lead agency in this dispute. We are an impartial party and are committed to ensuring public safety, police officer safety, and preservation of the rights of individuals to their freedoms of expression, association and mobility, as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The police will take action on a case-by-case basis, with a focus on enforcement should there be any criminal activities that pose a threat to the safety of individuals or property.”
This, while farm owners dispute an intended cull of roughly 400 ostriches. Canada’s Supreme Court today granted a stay on the planned execution of the birds at the farm over an avian flu outbreak. The stay will remain in place while the SCC decides whether to hear an appeal from the farm owners on the decision to cull the animals.
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