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The nation’s food inspection agency stated it plans to start a “complete depopulation” of numerous ostriches at a ranch after the supreme court refused to halt the contentious eradication.

Judicial Impediments Removed by Court Ruling

Thursday’s ruling eliminated all judicial obstacle to commencing the killings.

The ostrich farm, located near the town of Edgewood, was first ordered in May to cull close to 400 ostriches, due to fears of an spread of avian influenza.

Recently, authorities took over of the operation.

Sixty-nine birds have already died after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.

On Wednesday, the nation’s top court granted an temporary halt on the eradication directive as it considered whether to hear the case.

Political and Societal Responses

The growing row over the birds – and a lingering distrust of government – have inspired protesters to gather at the farm, with many expressing their anger on social media.

The case has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned repeatedly by reporters whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has avoided making specific comments on the issue, despite many within his political group protesting against the cull.

He told reporters the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but didn’t say the word the bird’s name.

International Interest and Proposals

A number of prominent individuals from the United States have petitioned authorities in Canada.

The American health chief offered to move the ostriches to his property in Florida.

An US billionaire has also pleaded with the authorities to reverse its cull order.

Health and Moral Debates

The national authorities stated the food inspection agency was adhering to a “stamping out” approach in order to limit the spread of avian flu, a move consistent with wider advice from global health organizations.

However, animal advocacy groups have called on the authority to conduct additional tests on the animals to confirm they are infected.

The farm owners said that because the last bird flu death happened on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority seeming healthy or recovered, the group has acquired at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.

They have also cast doubt on the scope and effectiveness of testing on the ostriches.

Farm Spokesperson Response

Recently, the ranch representative, informed the press that the agency was “murdering” healthy birds.

“These are ancient creatures that have survived millions of years, but they will not endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

A co-owner expressed he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no justice left”.

Judicial and Agency Findings

A national court, on the other hand, determined that permitting the ostriches to remain alive could lead to the spread of avian influenza to other animals, the poultry industry – or to people.

The authority has not announced when it plans to begin culling the birds.

Eradication Methods

A 2016 agency manual, acquired under public access laws, states ostriches can be killed by different means, the recommended being lethal injection, which needs three people: one person to restrain the ostrich by restraining it, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

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

Members of the organization can only shoot the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site.

Recent Updates

As per media sources, shortly after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the ostrich pen.