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The Final Stand at Universal Ostrich Farms

Saturday, 08 November 2025 02:06

Summary

In the small community of Edgewood, British Columbia, a protracted and emotionally charged conflict reached its conclusion. Universal Ostrich Farms, home to a flock of several hundred birds, became the epicentre of a national debate after an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in December 2024. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), mandated to protect national biosecurity, issued a depopulation order. This directive initiated a nearly year-long battle that pitted the farm's owners against the federal government. The struggle unfolded in courtrooms, culminating in a final appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. It also drew international attention, with prominent American figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz intervening in an attempt to save the flock. The farm's supporters, including activists and members of the 'Freedom Convoy' movement, rallied behind the owners, framing the issue as one of government overreach. For the CFIA, however, the matter was a critical question of public and animal health, guided by established international protocols for containing a virus with pandemic potential. The final court decision sealed the fate of the ostriches, bringing a sombre end to a saga that highlighted the complex intersection of animal welfare, scientific protocol, and individual rights in the face of a significant biosecurity threat.

An Unseen Threat in Edgewood

In early December 2024, a malady swept through the flock at Universal Ostrich Farms in the rural community of Edgewood, British Columbia.11,25 Over a three-week period, what the owners described as "flu-like" symptoms resulted in the deaths of 25 to 30 of the large, flightless birds.11,25,36 The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) was alerted to the situation not by the farm, but through an anonymous report on 28 December.11,25 Agency officials promptly intervened, imposing a verbal quarantine order on the premises.11,25

By New Year's Eve, the nature of the threat became clear.11 Samples taken from two deceased ostriches tested positive for H5 avian influenza.11,23 Within minutes of this confirmation, the CFIA issued a formal cull order, mandating the disposal of all birds on the farm by 1 February 2025.11,33 Subsequent genome sequencing by the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease in Winnipeg confirmed the pathogen was a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) subtype, H5N1.36 By the time the outbreak subsided in mid-January, the death toll on the farm had reached 69 birds.11,22,25

The H5N1 virus is a significant concern for global health authorities.17 It primarily infects birds, among whom it is highly contagious, and can be transmitted through saliva, nasal secretions, and faeces.5,9 The virus can devastate domestic poultry populations, posing a severe economic threat to the agricultural sector.9 While transmission to humans is rare, it can occur through close contact with infected birds or heavily contaminated environments.6,26 Such zoonotic transmission is a serious concern due to the virus's potential to mutate and adapt, possibly leading to more efficient human-to-human spread and a pandemic.5,17 Since 1997, over 900 human cases have been reported globally, with a high fatality rate.26,22

A Battle in the Courts

Faced with the destruction of their flock, the owners of Universal Ostrich Farms mounted a vigorous legal challenge.1,22 In early January 2025, they applied for an exemption to the cull order, arguing that the ostriches possessed "rare and valuable genetics" that warranted preservation.11,14 The CFIA denied this request on 10 January.11,25 The farm then sought a judicial review of the agency's decision, securing a temporary stay of the cull order from the Federal Court on 31 January, just before the initial deadline.11,33

The farm's central argument was that the surviving birds were healthy, showed no signs of illness, and may have developed immunity, making them scientifically valuable.2,13 They contended that the CFIA's "stamping-out" policy—the complete depopulation of an infected flock—was an unreasonable and disproportionate measure in their specific case.37,42 This policy, however, is a standard international practice recommended by the World Organisation for Animal Health to contain HPAI outbreaks swiftly and effectively.3,12,42

The CFIA maintained that its actions were guided by the Health of Animals Act and were necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.1,6 The agency argued that even ostriches that appear healthy can remain carriers of the virus, posing an ongoing risk to other animals and potentially humans.8,13 Allowing the flock to live, particularly with potential exposure to wild birds, increased the risk of the virus mutating into a more dangerous form.13

The legal battle progressed through multiple levels of the Canadian judicial system.36 On 13 May, the Federal Court dismissed the farm's application for judicial review, ruling that the CFIA's decisions were both "reasonable" and "procedurally fair."11,25 The farm's owners appealed this decision, but the Federal Court of Appeal unanimously upheld the lower court's ruling on 21 August.37,39 The appeal court acknowledged the difficult financial and emotional outcome for the farm's owners but concluded that the law supported the CFIA's position.37 The final recourse was the Supreme Court of Canada, which issued an interim stay on the cull in September while it considered whether to hear the case.8,36 On 6 November 2025, the nation's highest court announced it would not hear the appeal, removing the last legal obstacle to the depopulation of the flock.8,25

An Unlikely Alliance

The plight of the Edgewood ostriches attracted a diverse and vocal coalition of supporters, transforming a local biosecurity issue into an international controversy.36 Protesters, including some associated with the "Freedom Convoy" movement that had previously demonstrated against pandemic-related government mandates, gathered at the farm.2,37 They organised events like "Ostrichfest," a music concert and protest held in May, to rally support and oppose what they viewed as government overreach.11,25,37 The situation at the farm grew tense, leading to the arrests of farm spokeswoman Katie Pasitney and her mother, co-owner Karen Espersen, in September for allegedly obstructing CFIA officials.11,25,39

The cause also garnered attention from prominent figures in the United States.18 Robert F. Kennedy Jr., in his capacity as U.S. Health Secretary, wrote to the head of the CFIA in May and again in July, urging the agency to reconsider the cull.1,21 He argued that the flock, having survived an H5N1 outbreak, represented a significant opportunity for scientific study.1,21 Kennedy proposed a collaboration between Canadian and U.S. researchers to study the birds' antibodies in a controlled environment.1,21

Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator for the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, also intervened, offering to relocate the entire flock to his ranch in Florida.3,16,20 The farm's owners, while grateful for the offer, declined, stating their desire to keep the birds in Canada.16,20 The involvement of these American officials was reportedly facilitated by New York billionaire John Catsimatidis, who also provided financial support for the farm's legal fees and publicly called for U.S. health officials to be allowed to evaluate the birds.10,16,20,22 This international pressure added a political dimension to the conflict, framing the CFIA's regulatory decision as a matter of diplomatic interest.16

The Final Act

With the Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case, the CFIA immediately prepared to enforce the depopulation order that had been contested for over ten months.12,13 On the afternoon of 6 November 2025, CFIA vehicles arrived at Universal Ostrich Farms.12 Officials, some in biohazard suits, began herding the remaining 300 to 330 ostriches into a large enclosure constructed from hay bales.4,12,13,24 As night fell, the area was illuminated by floodlights, and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officers blocked access to the property, turning away supporters.13

Later that evening, gunshots were heard coming from within the enclosure.1,13,24 The CFIA later confirmed that it had completed the cull.4,7 In a statement, the agency explained that after consulting with experts, it had determined that the use of professional marksmen was the most appropriate and humane method for the on-farm depopulation.4,7,18 The entire operation was conducted under the supervision of CFIA veterinarians and was designed to comply with all relevant animal welfare standards.4,7 Following the cull, the agency began the disposal phase of its disease response, with the farm remaining under strict quarantine.7

The farm's supporters who remained at the scene reacted with anguish and anger, shouting at the officials carrying out the operation.24 Farm spokeswoman Katie Pasitney had earlier made a final, emotional plea on social media, insisting the birds were healthy.1 Co-owner Dave Bilinski expressed his dismay, stating he feared "there's no justice left."3 The CFIA stated it would provide compensation to the farm owners for the value of the animals, offering up to $2,200 per bird upon completion of the necessary documentation.1

Conclusion

The culling of the ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms marks the definitive end of a complex and divisive chapter in Canadian agricultural history. The episode brought into sharp relief the inherent tensions between the responsibilities of the state to manage biosecurity threats and the rights of individual producers. The CFIA's actions were consistently upheld by the judiciary as a reasonable application of its mandate under the Health of Animals Act, reflecting established global protocols for managing highly pathogenic avian influenza.6,14,37 The agency's primary objective was the swift eradication of a disease with the potential to devastate Canada's multi-billion dollar poultry industry and pose a risk to human health.1,40 For the farm's owners and their supporters, the outcome was a profound loss, viewed as the unnecessary destruction of healthy and scientifically valuable animals by an uncompromising bureaucracy.3,13 The intervention of high-profile American figures underscored a growing scepticism of government health policies in some quarters, a sentiment that resonated with activists in Canada.2,10 Ultimately, the arguments for the flock's unique scientific value did not outweigh the legal and scientific imperatives driving the national disease control strategy.21,37 The quieted farm in Edgewood now stands as a stark illustration of the difficult, and often painful, decisions required to safeguard public and animal health against the persistent threat of zoonotic diseases.

References

  1. Canadian ostrich farm loses long legal battle to avoid cull of its birds, despite plea from RFK Jr. - CBS News

    Provides a comprehensive overview of the entire event, including the Supreme Court's final decision, the CFIA's rationale, the timeline of the outbreak, and the involvement of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Oz. It also details the compensation offered to the farmers.

  2. Canada to cull 300 ostriches after court rejects farm appeal | The Poultry Site

    Details the Supreme Court's rejection of the appeal, the farm's argument of immunity, the CFIA's position on the infection risk, and the involvement of RFK Jr. and supporters from the 'Freedom Convoy' movement.

  3. Canada's top court clears path for culling of 400 ostriches amid bird flu fears

    Confirms the Supreme Court's decision, the CFIA's adherence to WHO guidance, the farm's arguments about immunity, and the international intervention from RFK Jr. and Mehmet Oz.

  4. Marksmen complete cull at B.C. ostrich farm, CFIA says | CBC News

    Reports on the completion of the cull, confirming the method used (professional marksmen) and the CFIA's official statements following the operation. It also provides the estimated number of birds culled.

  5. Transmission and infection of H5N1 - Wikipedia

    Provides general background information on the H5N1 virus, its modes of transmission among birds, and the potential for zoonotic spread to humans, which is essential context for understanding the CFIA's actions.

  6. Facts about avian influenza - inspection.canada.ca

    Outlines the official response strategy of the CFIA to avian influenza outbreaks, including the policy of humane destruction of infected and exposed animals, quarantine, and decontamination. This source directly supports the rationale for the agency's actions.

  7. Canadian Food Inspection Agency moves forward with disease response, completing ostrich cull in Edgewood, British Columbia

    This is the official CFIA press release confirming the completion of the cull. It details the method used, states that the operation was humane and supervised by veterinarians, and confirms the farm remains under quarantine.

  8. Supreme Court of Canada won't hear appeal of ostrich cull order - CityNews Vancouver

    Reports the Supreme Court's decision not to hear the appeal, which was the final legal step in the process. It also summarises the core arguments of the farm and the CFIA.

  9. What You Need to Know About the H5N1 Avian Influenza Outbreak and Its Risks to Humans

    Provides additional background on the H5N1 virus, explaining why it is a public health concern, its high mortality rate in birds, and its economic impact, justifying the stringent control measures.

  10. Canada pushes on with 'complete depopulation' plan to cull 400 ostriches - The Guardian

    Details the international involvement, specifically naming Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Mehmet Oz, and John Catsimatidis. It also connects the protest movement to post-pandemic skepticism of government.

  11. From flu outbreak to 'Ostrichfest' to high court, how B.C. ostrich cull saga unfolded - CTV News

    Provides a detailed, chronological timeline of the entire saga, from the initial outbreak in December 2024 through all the key legal dates, protests, and interventions up to the Supreme Court's decision.

  12. Gunshots heard as CFIA officers move in at B.C. ostrich farm infected with avian flu | Globalnews.ca

    Describes the scene at the farm as the CFIA moved in to begin the cull, including the herding of the ostriches and the setup of the site. It also reiterates the legal basis for the CFIA's actions.

  13. Gunshots herald ostrich cull after police limit access to British Columbia farm - paNOW

    Provides a descriptive account of the cull operation itself, noting the sound of gunshots, the use of hay bales and floodlights to obscure the view, and the police presence. It also summarises the farm's and the CFIA's arguments.

  14. How the son of Russian spies paved the legal path for B.C. ostrich cull | CBC News

    Explains the legal precedent ('Vavilov') that underpinned the courts' decisions to defer to the CFIA's expertise, finding their decision-making process 'reasonable'. It also confirms the timeline of the initial cull order.

  15. H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation - CDC

    Provides context from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control on the broader H5N1 situation, noting its prevalence in wild birds and outbreaks in domestic animals, which supports the rationale for strict containment protocols.

  16. Dr. Oz, billionaire John Catsimatidis offer to take B.C. ostriches ordered killed due to avian flu | CBC News

    Details the specific offer from Dr. Mehmet Oz to relocate the birds to his Florida ranch and the role of John Catsimatidis in orchestrating the American intervention. It also confirms the farm's decision to decline the offer.

  17. Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1): a Threat to Human Health - PMC - PubMed Central

    This scientific paper provides in-depth background on HPAI H5N1, establishing it as a serious pandemic threat and explaining the scientific basis for the public health concerns that drive culling policies.

  18. CFIA Ostrich Cull in B.C.: Inside the Controversial Avian Flu Response That Sparked International Outcry - Azat TV

    Provides a summary of the event, confirming the number of birds culled, the method used, and the involvement of international figures. It frames the controversy as a clash between government authority and public sentiment.

  19. Overview of how Canada prevents, prepares and responds to bird flu outbreaks

    This official CFIA document outlines Canada's general action plans for AI outbreaks, including disease containment through humane destruction of infected flocks, providing the policy background for the agency's actions.

  20. B.C. ostrich farm declines help from Dr. Oz to save birds from planned cull | Globalnews.ca

    Corroborates the offer from Dr. Oz and the farm's decision to decline it. It also confirms the connection between the farm, Oz, Kennedy, and John Catsimatidis.

  21. RFK Jr wants Canada to pardon 400 ostriches - The Independent

    Focuses on the intervention by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., detailing his letters to the CFIA and his argument that the birds should be preserved for scientific study rather than culled under the 'stamping-out' policy.

  22. Exposed to bird flu: Controversial Canadian ostrich cull order will go ahead - RTL Today

    Summarises the final court decision and the international support the farm received. It also provides important global context on human infections and fatalities from avian influenza from the WHO.

  23. Hundreds of B.C. ostriches ordered culled over avian flu: CFIA - YouTube

    Provides early reporting on the cull order, including quotes from the farm's spokesperson about the initial outbreak and their belief that some birds were developing immunity. It also gives context on the scale of avian flu in Canada.

  24. Gunshots ring out at B.C. ostrich farm as cull moves ahead - CityNews Vancouver

    Provides an immediate account of the cull operation, describing the gunshots and the reaction of supporters at the scene. It confirms the number of birds the CFIA estimated were on the farm.

  25. From flu outbreak to 'Ostrichfest' to high court, how B.C. ostrich cull saga unfolded - North Shore News

    This source provides another detailed timeline, corroborating key dates and events such as the initial outbreak, the anonymous tip, court rulings, the 'Ostrichfest' protest, and the arrests of the owners.

  26. Avian influenza A(H5N1): Spread, prevention and risks - Canada.ca

    This official Government of Canada source explains the risks of H5N1 to humans, confirming that while rare, transmission is possible through close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. It provides the official public health context.

  27. Hundreds of doomed ostriches find unlikely ally in RFK Jr - The Independent

    Summarizes the intervention by RFK Jr. and others, and clearly states the CFIA's rationale for the 'stamping-out' policy as a necessary measure to prevent the spread and mutation of the virus.

  28. Dr. Oz, New York billionaire spearhead effort to save B.C. ostriches - CTV News

    Details the arguments made by Dr. Oz and John Catsimatidis, specifically their claim that the birds had developed resistance and had scientific value. It also mentions their efforts to enlist other U.S. health officials.

  29. Avian Influenza Handbook - Chicken Farmers of Canada

    This industry handbook explains the CFIA-led response protocols from the perspective of farmers, detailing how control zones, cleaning, and disinfection are managed, providing context for the agency's on-the-ground procedures.

  30. Dr. Oz lends support to B.C. ostrich farm facing cull - YouTube

    This news report includes quotes from Dr. Oz about the ostriches' potential immunity and scientific value. It also features a counterpoint from an infectious disease expert who disputes these claims, providing scientific balance.

  31. 'Couldn't stomach it': Ostriches loaded in bins after shooting cull stuns protesters - North Shore News

    Confirms the 10-month duration of the conflict from the initial order to the final cull, providing a sense of the timeline's length.

  32. H5N1 Avian Influenza Outbreak - BC Centre for Disease Control

    This document from a provincial health authority explains the coordinated 'One Health' approach required for avian flu outbreaks, involving public health, the CFIA, and agricultural ministries, showing the multi-agency nature of the response.

  33. B.C. ostrich farm gets stay of execution for birds ordered killed due to avian flu fears - CBC

    Reports on the initial court injunction that temporarily halted the cull in January 2025, marking the beginning of the lengthy legal battle.

  34. Ostrich farming in North America - Wikipedia

    Provides general background on the history and products of ostrich farming, offering context for the type of agricultural operation at the centre of the controversy.

  35. Avian Influenza Handbook - Chicken Farmers of Canada

    This document outlines the standard procedures when the CFIA investigates a suspected avian influenza case, including how a 'suspect case' is handled and how control zones are implemented, which is relevant to the initial stages of the Edgewood case.

  36. 2025 Canadian ostrich culling controversy - Wikipedia

    Provides a structured summary of the controversy, identifying the key parties, the timeline of the outbreak, the legal challenges, and the international response, serving as a good framework for the overall narrative.

  37. 'Devastating' court ruling rejects B.C. ostrich farm's bid to prevent avian flu cull

    Details the Federal Court of Appeal's decision to reject the farm's bid, explaining the legal reasoning and the court's view that the CFIA's 'stamping out' policy was reasonable. It also mentions the financial penalties issued to the farm.

  38. A focus group study exploring dairy farmers' perspectives of cull cow management in Ontario, Canada - PubMed Central

    While focused on dairy cows, this academic study provides broader context on the complexities and welfare issues surrounding animal culling decisions on Canadian farms, which is relevant to the general theme.

  39. From flu outbreak to 'Ostrichfest' to high court, how B.C. ostrich cull saga unfolded - Castanet

    This source provides a concise, date-by-date timeline of the legal and protest events, corroborating the sequence of appeals, stays, and arrests.

  40. Supreme Court Clears Way for Controversial B.C. Ostrich Cull Amid Avian Flu Fears

    Summarises the final Supreme Court decision and its implications, highlighting the CFIA's mandate to protect the poultry industry and public health. It also notes the significant impact of avian flu in British Columbia more broadly.

  41. Canadian dairy farmer views about animal welfare - PMC - PubMed Central

    This study offers insight into the complex views of farmers regarding animal culling, touching on the conflict between economic decisions and the desire to give animals a chance to recover, which reflects the emotional arguments made in the ostrich case.

  42. The B.C. ostrich cull controversy, explained | Globalnews.ca

    Provides a clear explanation of the CFIA's 'stamping out' policy and its basis in international standards from the World Organization for Animal Health, which is a key justification for the government's actions.

  43. Welfare of Cull Dairy Cows - Canadian Veterinary Medical Association | CVMA

    This position statement from the CVMA, while about dairy cows, outlines the principles of humane animal culling and transport in Canada, including the importance of on-farm euthanasia to prevent suffering, which is relevant to the animal welfare aspect of the story.

  44. A timeline of the fight to save a flock of ostriches in a B.C. farm - North Shore News

    Provides a concise summary of the months-long fight between the farm and the CFIA, establishing the duration and nature of the conflict.