American Billionaire Breaks Silence on B.C. Ostrich Farm Controversy
An American billionaire who financially supported protests against a British Columbia ostrich farm has publicly condemned the recent government-ordered cull of the birds, declaring "something is rotten" in the situation. The controversy centers around Universal Ostrich Farms near Edgewood, B.C., where the Canadian Food Inspection Agency initiated a mass culling of the flock following avian flu concerns.
The Night of Shooting and Cover-Up
Disturbing scenes unfolded at the Edgewood facility on Friday, November 7, 2025, when tarpaulins were seen covering objects on the ground inside holding pens that had been filled with live ostriches just one day earlier. According to eyewitness accounts and official reports, shooting broke out overnight as CFIA personnel began the controversial culling operation. The visual evidence of covered remains painted a stark picture of the scale of the intervention.
The unidentified U.S. billionaire, who had previously funded protest efforts against the farm's operations, expressed outrage at the development. His financial backing of demonstrators had added significant weight to the opposition movement in the weeks leading up to the government's decision to cull the birds.
Broader Context of Avian Flu Concerns
This incident occurs against the backdrop of other avian flu cases in British Columbia. In Summerland, B.C., animal sanctuary staff reported being "devastated" by their own avian flu case, indicating the broader challenges facing bird operations across the province. The CFIA has maintained that such culls are necessary to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, though the methods and timing continue to draw criticism from animal rights activists and supporters.
The situation at Universal Ostrich Farms represents another chapter in the ongoing tension between agricultural operations, government disease control measures, and animal welfare concerns. As investigations continue and the covered pens stand as silent testimony to the events of November 7th, the billionaire's condemnation echoes the sentiments of many who question whether less extreme measures could have been pursued.
