“Save our ostriches”
In the past week a frenzy of stories about an Ostrich farm in Edgewood in BC appeared all over social media and various “alternative” channels. Apparently, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) tested the animals and found them positive for H5N1 {is the influenza A virus, which causes the disease avian influenza (often referred to as “bird flu”}. They have ordered 400 healthy ostriches to be destroyed and disposed as of February 1, 2025.
In 2020, ostriches on the same farm tested positive for pseudomonas {gram negative bacteria} whereby 10 animals died.
In March 2020, Ostrich Pharma USA announced the successful development of ostrich antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and their expanded use in Japan with plans for producing and deploying the antibodies in the U.S.
The understanding that ostriches have strong immune systems and quickly create antibodies when exposed to COVID-19 brought public attention to the Edgewood ostrich farm again in August of 2021.
Owner Karen Espersen reported: “Working with a lab back east, we inoculated our hens with the dead COVID-19 virus. The hen produces antibodies in two weeks and two weeks after that she puts them into her eggs,”
“We inoculated all of our hens and this summer they have been producing antibodies that can neutralize the COVID-19 virus.”
On December 28 2024, Espersen received a call from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) saying that they had received an anonymous tip about a disease on their farm. She confirmed that some animals had similar symptoms to those from 2020. The next day, two ostriches died.
On December 29, CFIA agents showed up at the farm and did PCR tests on the dead animals, one oral and one rectal. At this point the animals had been dead for over 16 hours.
On December 31, Espersen received a call from Abbotsford confirming that the PCR tests were positive for the H5N1 virus and a request to put the remaining animals in quarantine.
On January 2, 2025 the farm received a letter from CFIA outlining the regulations and measures of quarantine, which stated they were not allowed to administer their own treatment.
January 10, they received a notice stating that all animals that had been exposed to virus must to be culled. If they didn’t have a capacity to do it, CFIA would do it through a third party contractor.
Thirty five animals with symptoms were treated, the owner refused to say how. She said:” My mom has her own little method, so I think we will kind of stay quiet about that right now.” {37:20 min.}
Meanwhile all the animals recovered which indicates they have developed natural herd immunity.
On January 12, fundraising for support for the Ostrich farm was started by Espersen’s nephew Alyson. As of today, they have raised over $25,000.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-ostrich-farmers-fight-to-save-herd-from-avian-flu?lang=en_CA
Last Friday, January 24, CFIA agents came to farm and did a protocol check and confirmed that all animals must be killed.
This month, a tribute to the original Trucker’s Freedom Convoy of January 2022, was organized from Princeton to Penticton, Kelowna, Salmon Arm, Kamloops and back to Vernon. They distributed small “Save Our Ostriches” cards with basic information. For more information you can scan a QR code on the card or go to www.SaveOurOstriches.com, which redirects to www.bcrising.ca/save-our-ostriches/. Some trucks had also similar posters.
Now, in support of the farm, organizers are putting together a convoy for February 1. Letters to the CFIA agency, the local MP, MLA and senators have been shared on the social media to encourage people to write and complain about the issue.
Four years ago Espersen said: “We inoculated all of our hens and this summer they have been producing antibodies that can neutralize the COVID-19 virus.” The virus which was never isolated, was supposedly detected by a PCR test and then injected into their animals. Now, the same PCR test apparently gave a positive H5N1 result and the animals have had a natural recovery.
January 27, Federal government offers $1.2 million to B.C. farmer ordered to cull ostrich flock. “Compensation is based on the fair market value of the animals. For ostriches, compensation of up to $3,000 per bird may be awarded when there is supporting documentation. While compensation may not offset the emotional toll of depopulation, it can provide resources to recover and reestablish operations,” the CFIA statement read.
Considering the enormous amount of information and speed with which it was distributed by multiple “independent” channels to the public, could this operation be a false flag? It’s purpose being to distract the public and to create an opportunity for good people to take some action? We must be very careful of something we are missing here.
DB, CB
