why are they killing the ostriches in bc

They are killing the ostriches in British Columbia due to an outbreak of avian influenza (avian flu) that was first detected on a farm near Edgewood, B.C. in December 2024. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ordered the cull of about 400 ostriches on Universal Ostrich Farm to prevent the spread of this disease, which is a serious public and animal health concern. The flu has already caused significant deaths among the birds, and according to the CFIA, the cull follows international standards for managing avian flu outbreaks in commercial poultry operations, including ostrich farms. The farm owners have legally challenged the cull repeatedly, but courts have upheld the CFIA's authority to proceed due to the risks posed by the outbreak. The situation has attracted public protests and international attention as well as some legal stays, but the main reason remains disease control to protect both animal and possibly human health.