The owners of an ostrich farm in southeastern British Columbia are facing an imminent eviction due to a cull order affecting their flock, which has been prompted by a recent outbreak of avian influenza. On September 22, 2025, officials from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) arrived at the farm to serve a warrant, signaling the start of the cull process. This outbreak has already claimed the lives of 69 ostriches from the farm's population.

Katie Pasitney, whose mother co-owns Universal Ostrich Farms, took to social media to share a video capturing a conversation between the farm's operators and a CFIA official. In the video, the official informed the farmers that they would be permitted to remain in the birds' pen overnight. However, the unnamed official emphasized that the CFIA now controls the property and warned of potential "consequences" if the farmers chose not to leave either overnight or by Tuesday.

The farm owners have consistently contested the cull order, arguing that approximately 400 ostriches survived the outbreak and are now healthy, suggesting that they hold significant scientific value. They have engaged in various legal proceedings to overturn the CFIA's decision, asserting that their surviving birds should not be subjected to culling. The CFIA, on the other hand, maintains that the ostriches were infected with a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, which justifies their mandate to destroy the remaining flock.

In their quest to challenge this order, the farmers are advocating for further testing of their birds to confirm their health status. During a press interaction on Monday, Pasitney revealed that their legal team is actively working on filing paperwork to escalate their case to the Supreme Court of Canada, demonstrating their commitment to protecting their remaining ostriches and challenging the CFIA's authority.

This situation illustrates the tensions between animal health regulations and the rights of farm owners, highlighting the complexities that arise in scenarios involving infectious diseases in livestock. As the farmers brace for a potential removal from their property, the outcome of their legal battles remains uncertain, raising questions about the future of Universal Ostrich Farms and its surviving ostrich population.