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The nation’s food safety authority revealed it intends to begin a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a farm following the supreme court declined to block the contentious slaughter.

Judicial Obstacles Cleared by Court Ruling

The recent judicial decision eliminated all legal barrier to commencing the culling.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the community of Edgewood, was initially directed in May to cull nearly 400 birds, due to concerns of an spread of avian influenza.

Just days ago, officials seized control of the operation.

Nearly seventy birds have previously perished after the emergence of a influenza-like sickness.

On Wednesday, the nation’s top court issued an interim stay on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to take up the matter.

Political and Societal Responses

The growing row over the birds – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to gather at the property, with many broadcasting their frustration on online platforms.

The case has also penetrated Canada’s federal politics.

In early October, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned twice by reporters whether he supported protesters.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making direct statements on the issue, even though many within his party voicing opposition against the cull.

He told the press the situation had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.

International Interest and Proposals

A number of prominent figures from the US have petitioned authorities in Canada.

The US health secretary offered to move the ostriches to his ranch in Florida.

An US billionaire has also appealed with the authorities to rescind its cull order.

Health and Ethical Arguments

The national authorities said the food inspection agency was following a eradication policy in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a move consistent with wider guidance from global health organizations.

However, animal rights organizations have urged the agency to conduct further testing on the animals to verify they are infected.

The ranch operators claimed that because the last bird flu death happened on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority seeming in good condition or recovered, the flock has developed at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

They have also cast doubt on the scope and reliability of the tests on the birds.

Farm Representative Response

On Thursday, the ranch representative, told the press that the authority was killing healthy birds.

“They are prehistoric animals that have survived eons, but they will not endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

A partner said he was concerned that there is no fairness left”.

Court and Agency Findings

A national court, on the other hand, determined that allowing the birds to remain alive could lead to the transmission of bird flu to other animals, the livestock sector – or to people.

The authority has not announced when it expects to start slaughtering the ostriches.

Culling Methods

A 2016 guideline document, obtained under freedom of information laws, says the birds can be killed by different means, the recommended being injection, which requires three people: one person to restrain the ostrich by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

Staff can also use gas chambers or break the birds’ necks.

Employees of the agency can only use firearms on the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on the premises.

Recent Developments

According to media sources, soon after the judicial decision, agency workers began setting up additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the bird enclosure.