Man Dies at Ostrich Farm Protest Camp: BC RCMP

A sign calling for the protection of ostriches at the Universal Ostrich Farms is displayed at the farm in Edgewood, B.C., on May 17, 2025. The Canadian Press/Aaron Hemens

A man has died outside of a B.C. ostrich farm where a group of protesters have been camped out in opposition to a cull order for the birds issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

B.C. RCMP said officers with the Nakusp detachment were called to a sudden death at the protest camp in Edgewood, B.C., on the morning of Nov. 3 after an “unresponsive man” was discovered by members of a police liaison team. The man had been discovered on the ground in the encampment, according to an RCMP statement.

“Immediate life-saving measures were undertaken by officers on site,” said the statement, saying CPR was continued until the ambulance arrived. The officers were not able to resuscitate the man “despite significant efforts.”

The RCMP said the death has not been deemed suspicious, and said it will support the BC Coroners Service in the investigation.

Katie Pasitney, daughter of one of the ostrich farm owners and spokesperson for the farm, referred to the man simply as “Tom” while honouring him in a Nov. 3 Facebook post. Police have not identified the man publicly while they attempt to locate and notify his next of kin.

“He passed away doing exactly what he was so proud to do, and that was to present, protect and preserve life. And he believed that these animals deserve the right to live, and he fought hard for that. So please pray for Tom today,” she said in a video on social media, calling him “our warrior.”

“You were the kindest man we have ever met. And you will always be part of our family,” she added.

Cull Order

The CFIA has been on site at Universal Ostrich Farms since September, following a federal appeals court decision that upheld a cull order for around 400 birds at the farm.

The cull order had been issued by CFIA in December 2024, after two of the birds tested positive for avian flu. Sixty-nine ostriches died on the farm between Dec. 15, 2024, and Jan. 15, 2025, after becoming sick.

The owners argue the remaining birds are healthy and symptom-free, have immunity to the virus, and have scientific research value. A stay of the cull order was granted by the Supreme Court of Canada while it determines if it will hear an appeal from the owners. A decision is expected on Nov. 6.

The CFIA has said the birds present a risk to humans and other animals, noting they have a strain of the avian flu that has not been identified in Canada before. The agency also says that the strain has been connected to a human infection in the United States. It added that it is following the “stamping out” policy of the World Organization for Animal Health to prevent the disease from spreading.

If the Supreme Court decides to hear the case, a final decision on the cull order and the life of the birds will come after a hearing.

Protesters have been camped out at the farm for months, with RCMP recently arresting three individuals for allegedly interfering with the federal agency, including Pasitney and her mother.

The farm has attracted international attention in its fight against the CFIA cull order. Several U.S. public figures have urged Canada to stop the cull, including U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, American billionaire John Catsimatidis, and U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The Canadian Press contributed to this article.