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The nation’s food inspection agency stated it plans to begin a “complete depopulation” of numerous ostriches at a ranch after the supreme court declined to stop the disputed slaughter.

Legal Obstacles Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

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

Universal Ostrich Farms, located close to the town of Edgewood, was first ordered in May to eradicate almost four hundred birds, due to fears of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the operation.

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

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

Political and Public Reactions

The increasing controversy over the ostriches – and a simmering post-pandemic skepticism – have inspired demonstrators to descend on the farm, with many broadcasting their anger on social media.

The case has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, the Tory leader, was asked repeatedly by reporters whether he backed protesters.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making specific comments on the matter, despite many within his party voicing opposition against the cull.

He told the press the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.

International Interest and Proposals

Several high-profile figures from the United States have petitioned Canadian officials.

The American health chief proposed to relocate the birds to his property in the Sunshine State.

An American wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the authorities to reverse its eradication directive.

Health and Ethical Debates

The Canadian federal government stated the relevant agency was following a eradication approach in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a step in line with wider advice from global health organizations.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the authority to perform additional tests on the animals to verify they are carrying the virus.

The ranch operators said that because the most recent fatality happened on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority appearing in good condition or healed, the group has acquired at least some level of immunity against the virus.

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

Farm Spokesperson Reaction

Recently, the ranch representative, told the media that the agency was “murdering” healthy birds.

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

A partner said he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.

Court and Agency Decisions

A national court, on the other hand, determined that permitting the birds to remain alive could result in the spread of bird flu to different species, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The authority has not said when it expects to start culling the ostriches.

Eradication Procedures

An older agency manual, obtained under freedom of information laws, says ostriches can be killed by various methods, the recommended being injection, which needs three people: one person to restrain the bird by sitting on its back, another to secure the head, and one to inject the drug.

Personnel can also use gas or break the birds’ necks.

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 Developments

As per media sources, shortly after the court ruling, agency workers began setting up more equipment and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the bird enclosure.