The owners of a Canadian ostrich farm where 314 birds were systematically slaughtered allege the mass killing was designed to suppress revolutionary research into life-saving medical treatments derived from ostrich eggs.
Research Claims Versus Official Reasoning
Katie Pasitney, who co-owns Universal Ostrich Farms in British Columbia with her mother Karen Espersen, told reporters that government officials exploited avian flu concerns as justification to eliminate their flock. She maintains the ostriches were completely healthy when killed during a nighttime operation on Thursday.
According to Pasitney, their farm had been pioneering antibody treatments extracted from ostrich egg yolks that demonstrated significant potential against major viruses including COVID-19 and H5N1 bird flu. The antibodies, naturally produced by the large birds, had reportedly shown remarkable effectiveness in laboratory settings.
Laboratory tests indicated these ostrich antibodies could neutralise 99.9% of coronavirus particles, leading to development work on nasal sprays and protective face masks containing the therapeutic compounds.
The Controversial Cull and Its Aftermath
The situation began unfolding in December when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency received an anonymous report concerning ostrich deaths at the farm. Subsequent testing confirmed two birds carried H5N1, a highly contagious strain of bird flu. Within weeks, the agency mandated the complete destruction of the entire flock.
The farm owners fought the decision through legal channels, achieving a temporary victory that halted the cull. Justice Michael Battista ruled that allowing the killing before proper evidence review would cause irreparable harm, as the birds' deaths couldn't be reversed even if the farm later won their case.
However, by August, Universal Ostrich Farms had exhausted their final appeal. The Federal Court of Appeal refused to permit additional testing that might have averted the mass slaughter.
Local media captured disturbing images of the aftermath, showing hundreds of ostrich corpses covered with tarps, with reports indicating some birds had been beheaded following what witnesses described as a firing-squad-style execution.
Conflicting Narratives and Broader Implications
Pasitney described the scene as resembling a war zone, noting that many birds, some over 35 years old and known to the owners by name, had been herded into a pen before being executed. She vehemently argued that alternative measures like quarantine, testing and monitoring could have been implemented instead of slaughter.
The CFIA maintains its actions followed established protocols for controlling highly pathogenic avian influenza. The agency states that depopulation, quarantine and biosecurity measures represent standard procedures for infected premises, with all birds euthanised humanely according to international animal health guidelines.
Officials note that compensation is available for each bird destroyed and that such measures aim to protect public health, prevent disease spread and safeguard Canada's poultry industry.
Meanwhile, the farm's research mirrored international efforts. Japanese researchers at Kyoto Prefectural University and Ostrich Pharma USA had already employed similar ostrich antibodies in masks, nasal drops and even confectionery products. Clinical trials in Osaka were testing ostrich antibody nasal drops to prevent hospital-acquired COVID-19 infections.
The farm owners had dedicated all their laying hens to what Espersen described as a natural, sustainable method to help the world combat viral threats. Their vision included creating accessible products everyone could keep in their pocket or medicine cabinet.
At 6pm local time on November 6, Pasitney reported hearing hundreds of gunshots near the enclosure where authorities had concentrated the birds. She lamented, They are all gone. They were unnecessarily killed... they didn't need to die, concluding a chapter that raises serious questions about medical research, animal welfare and government authority.
