Press Release – May 2, 2025: Planned Burial of 400 Ostrich Carcasses at Ootischenia Landfill Before Court Decision

Edgewood, British Columbia — May 2, 2025 — Credible reports indicate that the Ootischenia Landfill, under the jurisdiction of the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK), is preparing to bury approximately 400 ostrich carcasses, totaling 140,000 pounds of biological material, from a remote farm in Edgewood, British Columbia, before a judicial decision has been made. This action raises significant environmental, public health, and legal concerns.

Key Issues:

• The ostriches, each weighing approximately 350 pounds, have shown no signs of illness since January 15, 2025, despite two birds testing positive for a hybrid strain of avian influenza in December 2024.
• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) plan to cull the herd is currently before the courts, yet preparations for burial at Ootischenia Landfill are reportedly underway.
• The CFIA has reportedly contacted multiple gun shooter associations to carry out the culling, but they are refusing to participate in the killing of these healthy animals.
• No environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been conducted to evaluate the risks of burying 140,000 pounds of biological material in the landfill.
• Burial of such a large volume of decomposing matter could release hazardous substances, including ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, methane, carbon dioxide, and pathogen-contaminated leachate, posing risks to groundwater, soil, air quality, and public health.
• Provincial and federal regulations mandate strict oversight for animal carcass disposal, including permitting and environmental safeguards, which have not been addressed.

Proceeding with burial before the court’s decision could expose the RDCK and other involved parties to legal, environmental, and reputational risks. The potential for long-term ecosystem contamination underscores the need for immediate action.

Call to Action: We urgently request that the RDCK Board:

1. Immediately investigate and confirm whether such disposal is being planned.
2. Require a comprehensive environmental impact assessment before any action is authorized.
3. Ensure that all relevant community stakeholders are consulted and informed.
4. Seek legal clarification given that the matter remains before the courts.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Katie Pasitney
Daughter of co-owner, Karen Espersen
Universal Ostrich Farms Inc.
saveourostriches@gmail.com
SaveOurOstriches.com