Canadian court approves culling of 400 ostriches in British Columbia
A Canadian federal appeals court has upheld an order to capture and cull 400 ostriches on a farm in British Columbia following an outbreak of avian flu. This was reported by The Boston Globe on August 22.
The owners of the farm, Karen Espersen and Dave Bilinsky, tried to challenge the decision. They argued that birds may have natural immunity to the virus. Environmental activist Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. and Dr. Mehmet Oz also joined the campaign to protect ostriches.
"Culling infected herds should be a smart decision that takes into account both scientific evidence and long—term impacts," Kennedy Jr. wrote in a letter to the Canadian Food Control Agency.
The campaign to protect ostriches has attracted public attention. Dr. Mehmet Oz even offered to move the birds to his ranch in Florida.
"Our disease control measures are aimed at protecting public and animal health, as well as minimizing the impact on the $6.8 billion domestic poultry industry," the Canadian Food Control Agency said.
The farm owners do not intend to give up the fight.
"These birds deserve another decade to dance in the sun," said the daughter of the farm's co—owner, Katie Whitney.
Earlier, on May 16, an outbreak of avian flu was reported on a poultry farm in Brazil. Asia, Africa and Northern Europe have remained the epicenters of the virus since 2006.
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