By The Canadian Press

RCMP says helicopters buzzing B.C. ostrich farm are unrelated to cull

Sep 19, 2025 | 12:47 PM

EDGEWOOD, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA — Police say helicopters seen buzzing a British Columbia ostrich farm that faces the cull of its flock over an avian flu outbreak are unrelated to the “ongoing situation” at the farm.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Kris Clark says police are aware of the flyovers, which the spokesperson for Universal Ostrich Farms describes as “psychological warfare” as the farm waits for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to begin the cull.

A video posted on social media by the farm in Edgewood, B.C., this week appears to show a helicopter swoop low over the property at night.

But Clark says police determined that low-flying helicopters seen near the farm are from a Penticton, B.C., flight school conducting night training in the use of a spotlight.

The farm has been calling on supporters to gather at the property this weekend ahead of the CFIA-ordered cull of about 400 ostriches, although the agency has said it will not release details or timing of any operation.

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Farm spokesperson Katie Pasitney says in a Facebook post that she doesn’t want visitors to be “aggressive” but says a “last stand” is needed to witness the fate of the ostriches, which the inspection agency says pose an ongoing risk.

The farm’s owners say the birds are healthy and a valuable scientific resource.

The farm lost bids to stop the cull in Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal, and last week was denied another stay of the cull order while it prepares to apply for leave to go to the Supreme Court of Canada, an application that must be made by Oct. 3.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2025

The Canadian Press