Archive · 9 Nov 2025
Canadian Ostriches Culled After Avian Flu Outbreak Leads to Legal Defeat
Imagine a big farm with lots of ostriches in Canada.
Sadly, some of them got a bird sickness called avian flu.
The government decided the only way to stop the sickness from spreading was to kill all the ostriches on the farm.
The farm owners didn't think this was fair and tried to fight it in court, all the way up to the highest court in Canada.
But the court said no, and the government's order to kill the birds had to happen.
Even famous people offered to help the ostriches, but their help didn't change the decision.
So, one night, the ostriches were sadly shot and killed on the farm.
This was the way the government usually stops sick birds from spreading the sickness to other animals.
The farm will now close because of this.
Nearly 400 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in British Columbia were culled after losing a legal battle against the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
The CFIA ordered the cull due to the flock's contact with avian flu, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada's refusal to hear an appeal.
The ostriches were shot and killed by professional marksmen in an open-air setting, a method described as 'appropriate and humane' by the CFIA.
Offers of assistance from notable figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz to test or relocate the birds were not officially accepted or facilitated.
The cull marks the end of the farm's business, with owners potentially eligible for compensation, though receipt of funds is uncertain.
- Who
- Universal Ostrich Farms owners Karen Espersen and Dave Bilinski, their supporters, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
- What
- Nearly 400 ostriches were culled after the farm lost a legal battle against a government order due to avian flu.
- When
- The cull began Thursday night and concluded by Friday, nearly a year after avian flu first impacted the flock.
- Where
- Edgewood, British Columbia, Canada
- Why
- The ostriches were culled due to contact with avian flu and an order from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada.
Farm Owners & Supporters
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Humane Treatment and Culling Method
Farm Owners & Supporters
Described the culling as a 'war' brought in the 'middle of the night' with guns and ammunition. Implied the method used was not humane.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Stated that using professional marksmen in a controlled on-farm setting was the 'most appropriate and humane option'.
Legal Battle Outcome
Farm Owners & Supporters
Sought to appeal the CFIA's order to the Supreme Court of Canada, believing their birds could be saved.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Secured an order to cull the ostriches due to avian flu contact, which was upheld when the Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal.
Intervention Offers
Farm Owners & Supporters
Received support from figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (US health secretary) and Dr. Mehmet Oz (head of Medicare and Medicaid), whose offers to test or relocate birds were not accepted by Canadian officials.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Did not officially respond to offers from Kennedy and did not grant export permits for Dr. Oz's proposed relocation, due to the looming cull order.
- Location
- Edgewood, British Columbia, Canada
- Farm Name
- Universal Ostrich Farms
- Disease
- Avian flu (H5N1)
- Action Taken
- Culling of nearly 400 ostriches
- Legal Status
- Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear an appeal of the culling order.
- Culling Method
- Shot by professional marksmen in open air behind hay bales.
- Compensation Eligibility
- Up to $2,100 per bird, but uncertain if owners will receive funds as they did not perform the eradication.