Supporters head for B.C. ostrich farm as it preps application to Supreme Court to stop cull order
Vancouver’s Lucas Robinson Travels 575 Kilometres to Protect Ostriches in B.C.
Lucas Robinson, a trucker from Vancouver, embarked on a 575-kilometre journey east to Edgewood, B.C., with a mission to protect the nearly 400 ostriches owned by Universal Ostrich Farms. The farm has been ordered to cull the birds following a court battle that has garnered international attention.
Robinson, accompanied by his dog and a supply of steaks, hamburgers, and watermelon, felt a sense of responsibility towards the ostriches. He expressed his determination to prevent the culling of the birds, stating, “They’ll cull those birds over my dead body.”
The Federal Court of Appeal recently rejected the farm’s bid to halt the cull, which was initially ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency due to the presence of H5N1 avian flu among the birds. Despite the setback, the farm’s lawyer, Umar Sheikh, is pursuing an application to the Supreme Court of Canada for another stay of the cull.
Supporters of the farm, including Robinson, are rallying to show their solidarity. Farm spokeswoman Katie Pasitney has called for peaceful protests at the property, urging the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to collaborate with the farm rather than against it.
The ongoing battle to save the ostriches has attracted attention from U.S. officials and activists, with calls for the birds to be relocated rather than culled. However, the CFIA maintains that the cull is necessary to prevent the spread of the virus and protect animal and human health.
As the legal proceedings continue, supporters like Robinson and Pasitney are determined to fight for the rights of the ostriches. The farm remains hopeful that the Supreme Court of Canada will hear their case and provide a reprieve for the iconic birds.
The saga of the ostriches in Edgewood serves as a reminder of the complexities surrounding animal welfare and public health. As the community awaits a final decision, the fate of the ostriches hangs in the balance, with supporters like Robinson standing firm in their resolve to protect these majestic creatures.
