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

Avian Flu Outbreak in B.C.: How 300 Ostriches Became the Center of a National Debate

On a quiet night in Edgewood, British Columbia, the sound of gunshots broke a year-long tension that had enveloped Universal Ostrich Farms. More than 300 ostriches were culled in a controlled operation overseen by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), marking the end of a legal, political, and emotional saga that had drawn international attention and sparked fierce local protest.

The operation was executed by professional marksmen, supervised by CFIA veterinarians. The agency’s statement was unequivocal: “After consulting with experts experienced in managing ostrich disease outbreaks, the CFIA concluded that the most appropriate and humane option was to use professional marksmen in a controlled on-farm setting.”

Why Did the Cull Happen?

The roots of this crisis trace back to late 2024, when two ostriches on the farm tested positive for avian influenza H5N1—a highly contagious virus that has been devastating poultry populations across North America. The outbreak claimed the lives of 69 birds and set in motion a chain of decisions designed to protect Canada’s $6.8 billion poultry industry, its $1.75 billion export market, and, as CFIA insisted, “public and animal health.” (National Post)

CFIA’s “stamping out” policy for avian flu is clear: complete depopulation of affected premises to minimize risk of further spread. The farm’s owners, Karen Espersen and her daughter Katie Pasitney, fought the order through every available legal channel, arguing that the birds were healthy and that alternative solutions—like isolating or studying the flock—were possible.

Legal Battles and a Divided Community

Throughout 2025, the farm became a focal point for a diverse coalition of supporters. American grocery billionaire John Catsimatidis, celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz, and US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. all advocated for the ostriches. Kennedy proposed a joint research project to study the birds’ potential immunity, while Dr. Oz offered to adopt the flock. Neither offer shifted the Canadian government’s position.

Canadian courts repeatedly upheld the CFIA’s order, with both the Federal Court and Federal Court of Appeal finding that the agency acted “reasonably and in a procedurally fair manner.” The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the final appeal on November 6, 2025, clearing the way for the cull to proceed. (BBC)

On the ground, the atmosphere was charged. Supporters camped at the farm, shouting “Stop!” and “Murderers!” as the operation began. Local businesses reported tensions with protesters, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were deployed to maintain order and block access to the enclosure.

A Global Spotlight: Politics and Public Health Collide

The ostrich saga attracted an unlikely cast of political and public health figures. Kennedy, Catsimatidis, and Oz—typically associated with American policy debates—joined Canadian anti-Covid mandate activists, including Tamara Lich, in championing the farm’s cause. For them, the cull became a symbol of government overreach and the broader struggle over public health mandates.

Meanwhile, Canadian officials were largely silent. Prime Minister Mark Carney made no public statements, while Justice Minister Sean Fraser supported the Supreme Court’s decision, emphasizing the importance of “protecting the health of the general Canadian public and the food we consume.”

The debate extended beyond animal welfare. Some saw the cull as a necessary step to prevent the spread of a dangerous virus; others viewed it as a tragic, avoidable loss, emblematic of bureaucratic rigidity. Professor Jeremy Snyder, a public health expert at Simon Fraser University, noted that the controversy was a “draw for those advocating against government overreach,” including vaccine skeptics.

Aftermath: Quiet Fields and Lingering Questions

By Friday morning, the holding pen that had contained hundreds of ostriches was silent. Blue tarpaulins and black sheeting covered the ground, floodlights and hay bales obscured the scene, and RCMP vehicles blocked the road. The farm, once bustling with supporters, was left with the hum of generators powering CFIA and police equipment. (The Star)

The CFIA began the disposal phase, aiming to prevent environmental contamination and further disease risk. The agency reiterated its stance: “Our disease response aims to protect both public and animal health, as well as minimize impacts on the domestic poultry industry, and the Canadian economy. This supports Canadian families and poultry farmers whose livelihoods depend on maintaining international market access.”

For the Espersen family and their supporters, the loss is deeply personal. Videos posted to social media captured grief and anger, with Katie Pasitney declaring tearfully, “Shame on you Canada. The world is watching.”

Looking Forward: What Does This Mean for Canada?

This episode has exposed complex fault lines in Canadian society: between federal authority and local autonomy, between public health imperatives and individual rights, and between the science of disease control and the emotion of animal welfare. The ostrich cull was not simply an agricultural decision—it became a microcosm of larger debates about how governments act in times of crisis, and how communities respond.

As the dust settles in Edgewood, questions remain. Could the birds have been saved through research or quarantine? Was the CFIA’s response proportionate to the risk? And how will this event shape future policies on animal health and disease outbreaks?

Ultimately, the ostrich cull in B.C. stands as a stark illustration of the challenges governments face when science, law, and emotion collide. The CFIA followed established protocol to protect public and animal health, but the public outcry and global attention reveal the enduring tensions over authority, transparency, and compassion in crisis management.