Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, British Columbia, is embroiled in a legal struggle against a cull order from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The order could lead to the deaths of hundreds of ostriches. The Supreme Court of Canada is expected to announce on November 6 whether it will hear a final appeal regarding the cull. If the court denies the appeal, the CFIA will be able to proceed with the cull.

The situation began in early December 2024 when an outbreak of flu-like symptoms affected the ostriches, resulting in the deaths of 25 to 30 birds over three weeks. On December 28, the CFIA intervened after receiving an anonymous report about the deaths, imposing a quarantine order on the farm. By December 31, tests confirmed the presence of H5 avian influenza, specifically the H5N1 strain, leading the CFIA to issue a cull order with a deadline of February 1 for the disposal of affected birds.

In early January 2025, the farm sought an exemption from the cull, arguing that the ostriches possessed rare and valuable genetics. However, the CFIA denied this request on January 10. By January 15, the farm reported that the last ostrich death had occurred, bringing the total to 69 birds.

On January 31, the Federal Court stayed the cull order while reviewing the farm's application for judicial review. However, on May 13, the court ruled against the farm, stating that the CFIA's decisions were reasonable and procedurally fair. In response, supporters of the farm organized "Ostrich Fest," a concert and protest held from May 16 to 18.

The situation gained further attention when U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. wrote to the CFIA, urging them to reconsider the cull, suggesting the ostriches could be valuable for research. On May 27, farm spokeswoman Katie Pasitney revealed that Dr. Mehmet Oz had offered to relocate the birds to his ranch in Florida, but the farm declined the offer.

The Federal Court of Appeal granted a second stay of the cull order on June 20, but on August 21, the court dismissed the farm's appeal. A new stay was granted on September 6, delaying the cull once more. However, on September 12, a judge ruled that the cull must proceed, stating that the farm had not demonstrated that its appeal raised a serious issue.

On September 22, CFIA officials and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrived at the farm to prepare for the cull. The following day, Pasitney and her mother, co-owner Karen Espersen, were arrested for refusing to leave the ostriches' pen but were later released.

The Supreme Court issued an interim stay on September 24 while considering the farm's appeal. A fire at the farm on the same day damaged hay bales placed by the CFIA around the ostriches' enclosure. On September 25, the RCMP announced they were investigating threats of violence against businesses associated with the CFIA.

As of October 4, the CFIA reported that one ostrich had died while under its care. The Supreme Court's decision on whether to hear the final appeal is anticipated on November 6, as the CFIA has denied rumors of secretly culling the birds. Pasitney has called on supporters to gather at the farm ahead of the court's ruling.