Gunshots were reported at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., on Thursday evening, emanating from a straw bale enclosure where the farm’s flock had been corralled. Around 6:10 p.m. PT, CBC News correspondents on-site heard approximately five rounds of gunfire, each consisting of about a dozen shots.

This incident coincided with the Supreme Court of Canada’s refusal to consider an appeal aimed at sparing the flock at Universal Ostrich from a cull mandated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). With the legal obstacle removed, the CFIA proceeded with the culling of the flock, estimated to comprise 300 to 330 ostriches.

The cull was initiated following the detection of avian flu at the farm in December. The shots were discharged from within the straw bale enclosure, where the CFIA had gathered a significant number of ostriches earlier that day. The CFIA later disclosed that trained marksmen executed the cull under veterinary supervision, in accordance with guidelines from the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and American Veterinary Medical Association.

Supporters, parked in a dozen cars along the farm’s access road, vocally protested as the operation unfolded, shouting phrases like “Stop!” and “Murderers!” amid the gunfire. The CFIA had announced its intention to proceed with the “complete depopulation and disposal” of the ostriches, leading to the operation that evening.

Prior to the gunshots, field lights were observed illuminating the straw bale enclosure where the ostriches were contained. A drone was also spotted hovering above the scene.

For more details on the events following the Supreme Court’s decision not to hear the farm’s appeal, refer to CBC News’ live coverage. Additionally, background information on the case can be found in a related article on the involvement of the Trump administration in the fate of the ostriches at the farm.