NYC's animal-loving Catsimatidis teams up with RFK Jr. to 'save the ostriches!'
Share and Follow

Birds of a feather …

Billionaire John Catsimatidis from New York City, who has a deep love for animals, has teamed up with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the owner of emus and federal health Commissioner, in an effort to persuade Canadian authorities to intervene and protect ostriches at a bird farm located north of the border.

In an interview with The Post on Sunday, Catsimatidis expressed his appreciation for the involvement of the Health and Human Services head in supporting the cause, which he has been advocating for since the previous month, as initially disclosed by The Post’s Page Six.

“Let’s save the ostriches! They have a right to live if they are healthy,” said the Gristedes supermarket founder, who also owns 770 WABC radio.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has stated a necessity to cull nearly 400 birds at the Universal Ostrich Farm in British Columbia to contain the spread of avian flu.

Catsimatidis, who also owns oil and bio-fuel businesses, said he raised the alarm after animal-rights activists alerted him to the situation.

“I love animals. Let’s save the whales, too,” he said — noting his next project is protect whales from being imperiled by offshore wind-power set-ups.

The mogul also has been known to love pandas, once trying to convince the Chinese government to loan out the bears to the Big Apple’s Central Park Zoo.

As for the ostriches, Kennedy, along with the heads of the US Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health, sent a May 23 letter to the Canadian agency urging it to reconsider its plan.

The birds don’t need to be killed to thwart the flu, wrote RFK Jr., who famously owns a pet emu, in the letter first reported by Rebel News.

The ostriches should be preserved for long-term scientific study instead of culling or killing them, he said, echoing Catsimatidis’ stance.

“Ostriches can live up to 50 years, providing the opportunity for future insights into immune longevity associated with the H5N1 virus,” Kennedy said in the letter co-signed by NIH Director Jay Bhattachary and FDA Commissioner Martin Makary.

“The indiscriminate destruction of entire flocks without up-to-date testing and evaluation can have significant consequences, including the loss of valuable genetic stock that may help explain risk factors for H5N1 mortality,” the letter said. “This may be important for future agricultural resilience.”

The missive added that avian influenza has been endemic in birds for thousands of years and that culling birds would be “fruitless unless we are willing to exterminate every wild bird in North America.”

“We’re dealing with a bunch of bureaucrats in Canada. They’re mean-spirited,” Catstimatidis said.

“Test the ostriches. They are not sick!”

He added that the ostriches may have “herd immunity” whose antibodies can be studied to save human lives.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
SNAP benefits don't cover healthier diet costs: Study

Study Reveals SNAP Benefits Fall Short in Covering Costs of Healthier Diets

As the government shutdown persists, 42 million low-income individuals relying on SNAP…
I ignored stomach pain during my half-marathon... it was colon cancer

Runner’s Stomach Pain During Half-Marathon Leads to Shocking Colon Cancer Diagnosis

During her first half-marathon, Karina Ureña battled persistent nausea that threatened to…
Senate readies key vote on new approach to end shutdown

Senate Prepares Crucial Vote to Resolve Government Shutdown

Today, the Senate is poised to take a vote on a measure…
Halloween terror attack suspects scouted Cedar Point twice, FBI alleges

FBI Alleges Halloween Attack Suspects Conducted Two Reconnaissance Visits to Cedar Point

LANSING, Mich. — Federal authorities have revealed that individuals charged in a…
Miss Universe boss axed from pageant for calling Miss Mexico 'dummy'

Miss Universe Executive Dismissed Following Controversial Remarks About Miss Mexico

A Miss Universe executive faced termination just days before the pageant after…
ABC7 Chicago job: Director/Stage Manager

Illinois Family Transforms Home with New Windows After Dispute with Baam Pro Services

In Homewood, Illinois, a local man’s ordeal with a contractor has finally…
Hawaii lifeguard hospitalized after shark bite

Shocking Shark Encounter: Hawaii Lifeguard Hospitalized After Unexpected Attack

Kauai’s picturesque Hanalei Bay is temporarily off-limits following a shark incident that…
FILE - Cars drive past data centers that house computer servers and hardware required to support modern internet use, such as artificial intelligence, in Ashburn, Virginia, July 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

Rising Voter Discontent Over Electricity Costs and Data Centers Sets the Stage for 2026 Midterms

Voter dissatisfaction with the rising cost of living is poised to influence…