Over 400 healthy ostriches in British Columbia are facing the threat of a needless cull by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), all without any scientific testing to confirm the necessity of such drastic action. The CFIA's plan to cull these ostriches, under the pretext of an avian influenza threat, neglects the importance of disease verification through rigorous testing. We appeal to the CFIA to immediately halt the cull and adopt an approach that prioritizes scientific assessment through independent veterinary and disease-resistance testing before taking any irreversible actions.

In December 2024, a devastating outbreak of avian influenza took the lives of approximately 70 ostriches. This tragedy underscores the importance of scientifically backed measures rather than a blanket approach to culling. With no recent evidence suggesting the presence of avian influenza among the remaining ostrich population, it's imperative that each bird undergoes testing to distinguish healthy individuals from those potentially at risk.

Scientific data is integral to making rational decisions. Ostriches are not merely numbers; they are sentient beings deserving of a chance to survive based on proper medical scrutiny. We urge the CFIA to align their actions with ethical standards and scientific methodologies, protecting the lives of these ostriches instead of indiscriminately ending them.

It's vital to uphold practices that reflect humane treatment and evidence-based approaches, especially when lives hang in the balance. Our plea is simple: test before you kill. By signing this petition, you can be a voice of reason, urging the CFIA to reconsider and implement a testing protocol before proceeding with the cull. Stand up for ethical standards and responsible decision-making. Support a future where science guides action.