A veterinarian hired by Universal Ostrich Farm was allowed to enter the bird pens on Monday, but only under strict conditions set by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Veterinarian Kamil Svancara was permitted to examine just one bird — an older ostrich named Betsy. No samples were allowed to be taken, and access to the rest of the flock was denied.

“I can only check on Betsy, the one sick bird. No samples taken, no walking in the general public of the ostriches. That’s all I know,” Svancara said.

The farm had been pushing for broader testing, including blood samples, in hopes of proving the rest of the herd is healthy following a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak in December 2024.

In a statement, the CFIA reiterated its restrictions: “No blood or other sampl

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