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Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it plans to start a total removal of hundreds of ostriches at a farm following the supreme court refused to halt the contentious cull.

Judicial Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

Thursday’s ruling removed any judicial obstacle to beginning the slaughter.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated near the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in May to eradicate nearly 400 birds, due to concerns of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Recently, authorities took over of the operation.

Nearly seventy birds have already died after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.

Midweek, the nation’s top court granted an interim stay on the cull order as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Political and Public Responses

The increasing controversy over the birds – and a simmering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to gather at the property, with many expressing their anger on online platforms.

The case has also penetrated the nation’s political sphere.

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was questioned repeatedly by journalists whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Conservative figure has steered clear of making specific comments on the matter, despite many within his political group protesting against the cull.

He informed reporters the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.

International Interest and Offers

A number of high-profile figures from the US have lobbied Canadian officials.

The US health secretary proposed to move the ostriches to his property in the Sunshine State.

An American wealthy businessman has also appealed with the authorities to reverse its cull order.

Scientific and Ethical Arguments

The Canadian federal government said the food inspection agency was following a eradication approach in order to contain the spread of bird flu, a move consistent with wider advice from global health organizations.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the agency to perform further testing on the birds to verify they are carrying the virus.

The ranch operators said that because the most recent fatality occurred on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds appearing healthy or healed, the flock has developed at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.

They have also expressed skepticism on the scope and effectiveness of testing on the ostriches.

Farm Spokesperson Reaction

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

“These are prehistoric animals that have endured eons, but they will not survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

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

Court and Agency Decisions

A national court, however, found that allowing the birds to remain alive could result in the spread of bird flu to different species, the poultry industry – or to people.

The authority has not announced at what time it plans to begin slaughtering the ostriches.

Eradication Procedures

An older guideline document, acquired under freedom of information laws, states ostriches can be euthanized by various methods, the preferred being injection, which requires three people: one person to restrain the ostrich by sitting on its back, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Staff can also use gas or neck dislocation.

Employees of the agency can only use firearms on the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.

Latest Updates

As per reports, soon after the court ruling, inspection agents started installing additional gear and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the bird enclosure.