How the fate of a herd of ostriches on a small B.C. farm caught the attention of the Trump administration
In Edgewood, B.C., a small community nestled amongst the Monashee Mountains, a farm full of ostriches has become the centre of international attention. Universal Ostrich, owned by Karen Espersen and Dave Bilinski, has been embroiled in controversy since December 2024 when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) discovered avian flu among the birds.
The farm, home to approximately 450 ostriches, experienced a wave of deaths in December, prompting the CFIA to investigate. Tests confirmed the presence of H5N1 avian flu, a highly pathogenic strain that poses a risk to both animals and humans. A cull order was issued, but the farm has fought back, seeking to spare the ostriches from euthanasia.
The situation has garnered support from unexpected quarters, including U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Dr. Mehmet Oz, and billionaire John Catsimatidis. These high-profile figures have urged Canadian officials to reconsider the cull order, arguing for the preservation of the ostriches for scientific research.
The CFIA, however, maintains that the cull is necessary to protect public health and the agricultural industry. The agency has fined Universal Ostrich $20,000 for its failure to report the initial infection and deaths of the birds, as well as its non-compliance with quarantine and cull orders.
The farm’s operators have contended that the ostriches should be spared due to their potential herd immunity and their value in research. They claim to have shifted their focus from meat production to scientific endeavors, particularly in exploring the use of ostrich eggs to produce antibodies for COVID-19 and other viruses.
One of their partners, Dr. Yasuhiro Tsukamoto of Kyoto Prefectural University in Japan, has been involved in this research, though he has not confirmed his work with Universal Ostrich. Another researcher, Stuart Greenberg, has corroborated their collaboration on antibody production from ostrich eggs.
As the battle over the fate of the ostriches continues, the community of Edgewood finds itself at the centre of a global debate on animal health, scientific research, and public safety. The outcome of this saga remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – the story of Universal Ostrich has put this quiet corner of British Columbia on the map in a way no one could have predicted.
