Mass Cull Ends Year-Long Avian Flu Battle at B.C. Ostrich Farm
Nearly 400 ostriches have been euthanized at a British Columbia farm, concluding an almost year-long dispute over how to manage a highly contagious avian influenza outbreak. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed that professional marksmen were brought to Universal Ostrich Farm on Thursday afternoon to carry out the controlled depopulation.
Supreme Court Rejects Final Appeal
The mass cull began just hours after the Supreme Court of Canada announced it had dismissed the farm's last-resort appeal to stop the CFIA's disease response. This decision marked the final legal option for the farm owners, who had been fighting the order since December 2024 when an initial avian flu outbreak killed 69 ostriches.
"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," the agency stated on Friday. All depopulation activities were completed under CFIA veterinary supervision and involved closing the main road leading to the farm during the operation.
Protests and Police Presence
The situation at Universal Ostrich Farm had been tense for months, with protests and confrontations between the farm's supporters and government officials. In September, the Federal Court granted the CFIA custody over the birds and ordered the owners off the property. RCMP remained on site during the cull to ensure safety, though police confirmed there were no arrests during the operation.
"As with any protest, the RCMP is an impartial party and takes a measured approach to ensuring the safety of everyone involved in the dispute and those present at the site," read a police statement shared Friday. The road was reopened once the shooting was complete, and the CFIA will now proceed with disposal of the birds.
The decision to euthanize the entire flock was made to prevent further spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, which poses significant risks to both poultry populations and wild birds. The CFIA maintains that the controlled depopulation was the most humane method available given the circumstances and the specific challenges of handling large flightless birds.
