A federal agency in Canada has confirmed the execution of a cull order affecting all ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, British Columbia, following a bird flu outbreak. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) announced on Friday that all birds were humanely shot to comply with a 10-month-old mandate aimed at preventing the spread of the virus.
The cull order was a result of concerns that even healthy-looking ostriches could carry the virus and potentially mutate it, posing further risks to both domestic and wildlife populations. The CFIA reported that the operation was conducted under veterinary oversight and involved the use of a professional marksman. Witnesses noted that the farm’s holding pen, which was previously filled with the ostriches, was eerily silent, covered with long blue tarpaulins.
The owners of the farm had been fighting the order in court, asserting that the remaining ostriches were healthy, exhibiting no signs of illness, and should be preserved as they hold significant potential for scientific research due to their perceived herd immunity. They were supported by various advocates, including U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who petitioned for the reconsideration of the cull, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, who offered to provide a new home for the birds on his ranch in Florida.
The Supreme Court of Canada recently declined to hear the farm’s final appeal, effectively removing any legal barrier to the cull. This decision has left the co-owners of the farm in a state of despair. Katie Pasitney, the daughter of one of the co-owners, expressed profound grief, stating on Facebook that the family felt “broken” and could hardly cope with the events of the night.
Despite the emotional and financial toll of the cull, the CFIA has indicated that the farm’s owners may be eligible for compensation of up to CAD 3,000 (approximately USD 2,136) per ostrich. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by agricultural producers amid diseases that threaten both their livelihoods and animal health, underlining the importance of animal welfare within the broader context of food safety and public health.