Alberta community's ostrich escape sparks new food bank campaign
The ostrich round-up is still ongoing in Taber, Alta., but the community is using a bit of humour over the situation to rustle up a bit of scratch for the local food bank.
The Town of Taber is paying it forward to the Taber Food Bank with a generous donation of 20 turkeys that will form part of the holiday hampers for those in need this season.
Officials say the campaign, which it named #FlightlessBirdsforFoodBanks, hopes to share feeling of generosity it enjoyed during the community-wide effort to recapture a herd of ostriches.
On Thursday, a group of the large flightless birds broke out of an enclosure at a nearby farm and made their way into the community.
A video of a desperate attempt by a police officer, with the ostrich owner riding shotgun, has already gone viral.
"As demonstrated by the massive rescue efforts yesterday, our Taber community is generous (and sometimes funny), and we want everyone to know it," the town said on Facebook.
"If you saw the story and it made you laugh, we challenge you to donate to your local food bank so everyone has reasons to smile."
Meanwhile, the police constable who came up with the idea of using his vehicle to chase down the bird was also recognized.
"(For) his valiant efforts that are definitely NOT taught in regular police academy curriculums, Constable Weersink with the Taber Police Service is also receiving our thanks and a turkey," the post said.
"We hope he enjoys this type of flightless bird a whole lot more than the ones from yesterday."
The town says it is taking the suggestions of "annual ostrich races" and naming the ostrich as Taber's official bird under consideration.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.