Hundreds of Ostriches Culled in British Columbia After Lengthy Legal Battle

More than 300 ostriches were euthanized yesterday at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, British Columbia, following a final ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada allowing the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to proceed with the cull.

The ostriches were ordered to be culled late last year after two tested positive for H5N1 avian flu, part of an outbreak that initially affected 69 birds. Despite a months-long legal challenge by the farm owners, and attracting support from high-profile figures in the United States, all attempts to halt the cull were unsuccessful. Katie Pasitney, whose family owns the farm, posted a tearful video to Facebook stating, “Shame on you Canada, the world is watching.” The case highlights the complex intersection of animal welfare, public health, and government authority.

The farm owners exhausted all legal avenues, including appeals to the Supreme Court, arguing against the CFIA’s order. The effort drew an unlikely coalition of supporters, including American grocery billionaire John Catsimatidis, US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz, who even offered to adopt the birds. Kennedy had previously proposed a collaborative study to assess potential immunity within the flock, stating in a letter to Canadian officials that there was “significant value in studying this population” rather than “indiscriminate” killing. The controversy also resonated with Canadian anti-Covid mandate activists, such as Tamara Lich, who participated in fundraising efforts for the farm’s legal defense. For more information on avian flu, see the World Health Organization’s fact sheet on influenza.

Justice Minister Sean Fraser stated yesterday that he was “pleased to see” the Supreme Court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of protecting public health and the Canadian food supply. Conservative MP Scott Anderson criticized the operation as “poorly executed” and costly, noting the increased RCMP presence in the town of Edgewood. The CFIA maintains that the cull was necessary to protect both animal and public health, as well as Canada’s poultry industry, which is valued at over a billion dollars; you can find more details on the CFIA website.

Officials have indicated that the farm will now undergo thorough disinfection protocols to prevent further outbreaks.