A dramatic twist in the ongoing saga of Universal Ostrich Farm in southeastern British Columbia. The Federal Court of Appeal has rejected the farm’s plea for additional avian flu testing, a move that initially seemed to seal the fate of its 399 ostriches. However, the court’s decision delivers a temporary reprieve, issuing a temporary stay on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) mandated cull.

This decision follows weeks of intense public pressure and media scrutiny. The farm, thrust into the spotlight after dozens of ostriches succumbed to avian flu between December 2024 and January 2025, saw hundreds of supporters staging a protest camp to fight the CFIA’s cull order.

While the immediate threat of culling has been temporarily halted, the future remains uncertain. The court will deliver its final ruling on the farm’s appeal during the week of July 21. Until then, the fate of the ostriches hangs precariously in the balance, leaving both supporters and opponents anxiously awaiting the court’s final decision.