He provided them with protection!
Big Apple tycoon John Catsimatidis embarked on a mission to rescue ostriches from being culled at a farm in Canada following a heartfelt request from a farmer. Now, United States officials are stepping forward to offer a sanctuary for the birds for research purposes, as reported by The Post.
Despite the dedicated efforts of the animal-loving supermarket magnate and American officials to protect the ostriches, nearly 400 of the creatures may still face slaughter as early as Friday at the Universal Ostrich Farm in British Columbia.
“This is a blatant disregard for everyone in the United States,” remarked Catsimatidis regarding Canada’s dismissal of the U.S. proposal for research. “Something just doesn’t add up.”
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency mandated the culling to mitigate the spread of avian flu after an outbreak last winter resulted in the death of 69 ostriches.
However, the remaining flock has shown no signs of illness and has never been subjected to testing for the virus, according to a spokesperson for the farm.
Catsimatidis, who boasts a net worth of $4.5 billion through his oil refinery and Gristedes grocery stores, became aware of the farm’s plight when co-owner’s daughter, Katie Pasitney, reached out to his radio station, 77 WABC, back in February.
“I knew he cared for animals, and his influence is significant — that’s why I thought of his radio station to raise awareness,” Pasitney shared.
Thanks to Catsimatidis’ show booker, the two connected and quickly forged a bond over their mutual affection for ostriches and other wildlife.
“He has shown incredible generosity. His advocacy is invaluable,” she expressed. “He’s become like a grandfather figure to me.”
Since then, Catsimatidis and a friend have invested $35,000 in a legal fight to protect the birds, which are prehistoric, can grow up to 9 feet in height, and have lifespans exceeding 40 years.
Catsimatidis, who believes these birds might hold the secret to an avian flu vaccine due to their previous survival of the virus, has partnered with federal health Commissioner Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and television personality-turned-Medicare administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.
“RFK is a close friend, and he shares my passion for ostriches; he even sent me photos with them,” Catsimatidis noted.
Catsimatidis has been actively collaborating against the Canadian food inspection agency, with the Supreme Court of Canada anticipated to decide on whether to hear the case shortly.
If the court declines to take the case, agents will proceed to cull the birds, according to Pasitney.
Food inspection officials had already begun to round up the ostriches — some of which are around 35 years old — in preparation for the culling as of Friday, Pasitney stated.
Pasitney described the ostriches as “traumatized, stressed, and starved” as they were confined by agents into a small enclosure made of hay bales.
Moreover, dozens of police officers equipped with drones formed a “task force” at the farm, costing Canadian taxpayers “hundreds of thousands of dollars,” she remarked.
US ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra mentioned to The Post that the federal government has given the green light to relocate the birds to the United States.
“The Agricultural Department has arranged to take them to the U.S. for research purposes. Approval has been granted from our end,” Hoekstra confirmed.
“Here we have a live case of birds that survived. Certainly, if we move closer to finding a solution for avian flu, it could significantly impact policies in both nations.”
