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Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it plans to begin a total removal of numerous ostriches at a farm following the country’s top court refused to stop the controversial cull.

Legal Impediments Removed by Supreme Court Decision

Thursday’s ruling removed any legal impediment to commencing the killings.

The ostrich farm, situated close to the town of Edgewood, was initially directed in May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, due to concerns of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the operation.

Nearly seventy birds have already died after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.

Midweek, Canada’s supreme court issued an temporary halt on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to take up the matter.

Governmental and Societal Responses

The escalating dispute over the birds – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have inspired protesters to gather at the farm, with many broadcasting their frustration on social media.

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

In early October, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was questioned twice by journalists whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has avoided making specific comments on the matter, despite many within his political group voicing opposition against the slaughter.

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

International Involvement and Proposals

A number of prominent figures from the United States have petitioned Canadian officials.

The US health secretary offered to move the birds to his property in Florida.

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

Scientific and Ethical Arguments

The Canadian federal government stated the relevant agency was adhering to a eradication approach in order to limit the transmission of bird flu, a move in line with broader advice from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the agency to conduct additional tests on the birds to verify they are carrying the virus.

The farm owners claimed that because the last bird flu death happened 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 cast doubt on the extent and effectiveness of the tests on the birds.

Farm Representative Response

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

“These are ancient creatures that have survived eons, but they won’t endure the government agency,” she said.

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

Judicial and Agency Findings

A federal court, on the other hand, determined that allowing the birds to stay alive could result in the spread of bird flu to other animals, the poultry industry – or to humans.

The authority has not said at what time it expects to begin slaughtering the ostriches.

Eradication Procedures

A 2016 agency manual, obtained under public access laws, states ostriches can be euthanized by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which requires multiple individuals: 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 chambers or break the birds’ necks.

Members of the organization can only use firearms on the ostriches “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on site.

Recent Updates

As per reports, soon after the judicial decision, agency workers started installing more equipment and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the rear of the ostrich pen.