NYC Billionaire John Catsimatidis launched crusade to save ostriches after personal appeal from farmer

He took them under his wing!

Big Apple billionaire John Catsimatidis launched a crusade to save ostriches from being killed on a farm in Canada after a heartfelt appeal from one of the farmers — and now US officials are offering to take in the birds for research purposes, The Post has learned.

But despite the efforts of the animal-loving supermarket mogul and American officials to save the ostriches, nearly 400 of the animals could still be slaughtered as soon as Friday at the Universal Ostrich Farm in British Columbia.

“That’s a real f–k you to everyone in the United States,” Catsimatidis said of Canada apparently snubbing the offer to take the birds for research. “Something smells.”

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency ordered the culling to curb the spread of the avian flu after an outbreak at the farm last winter killed 69 ostriches.

The rest of the flock, however,  has remained healthy and never been tested for the virus, according to a spokeswoman for the farm.

Catsimatidis, whose $4.5-billion net worth includes an oil refinery and the Gristedes grocery stores, first heard about the farm when the co-owner’s daughter, Katie Pasitney, called his radio station, 77 WABC, in February.

“I knew he loved animals and his voice is strong — so that’s what got me thinking about his radio station and bringing international awareness to this,” Pasitney said. 

Catsimatidis’ show booker put the two in touch and they quickly bonded over their love of the flightless birds, and other animals. 

“He’s been extremely generous. His biggest contribution is his advocacy,” she said. “He’s become like a grandfather to me.”

Catsimatidis, along with a friend, have since poured $35,000 into a legal battle to save the birds, which are prehistoric, grow up to 9 feet tall, and can live up to 40 years.

Catsimatidis — who believes the critters may hold the key to an avian flu vaccine as they survived an out break of the flu — later teamed up with federal health Commissioner Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and TV host-turned-Medicare administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.

“RFK is a friend of mine and he likes ostriches, he sent me pictures of him and ostriches,” Catsimatidis said.

Catsimatidis has since been helping to fight the Canadian food inspection agency, and the Supreme Court of Canada was set to rule on whether it will take the case as soon as Friday.

If the case isn’t accepted, agents will slaughter the birds, Pastiney said. 

Food inspection agents had already rounded up the birds — some of them 35 years old —  to prepare for the culling as of Friday, Pastiney said.

Pasitney said the ostriches were “traumatized, stressed and starved” as they were corralled into an enclosure of hay bales by the agents.

Dozens of police officers with drones also swarmed  the farm Friday in a “task force” effort that’s costing the Canadian people “hundreds of thousands of dollars,” she said.

US ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, meanwhile, told The Post the federal government has approved moving the birds south of the border.

“The Agricultural Department has arranged to take them to the US for research purposes. The US has provided approval for that,” Hoekstra said.

“We have a living case of a bunch of birds that survived.  Obviously, if we get closer to the solution to the bird flu, it could have a dramatic influence on policy for both countries.”