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After Supreme Court Rebuff, CFIA Completes Ostrich Cull as RCMP Launches Probes

Police opened an investigation into vandalism at a CFIA office following the court‑authorized cull.

Ostriches are corralled near the Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., after the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear the farm's appeal against an order to cull more than 300 of its ostriches on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025.
Karen Espersen with ostriches at her farm in the mountains of Canada’s West Kootenay
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Overview

  • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed it depopulated roughly 300 to 330 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms after the Supreme Court declined to hear the farm’s final appeal on November 6.
  • CFIA said the operation followed its stamping‑out policy for highly pathogenic avian influenza under the Health of Animals Act to protect animal and human health as well as trade.
  • Kelowna RCMP are investigating feces-smeared vandalism at a CFIA office; the agency says employees and offices have also faced harassment and threats.
  • Police are reviewing drone and other aerial footage taken over the farm despite a Transport Canada no‑fly notice, with no enforcement actions reported to date.
  • The farm’s owners continue public advocacy and advance disputed claims about antibody research using ostriches, while U.S. businessman John Catsimatidis says he helped finance their legal fight.