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Canada’s food inspection agency stated it aims to begin a total removal of hundreds of ostriches at a farm following the supreme court refused to halt the contentious eradication.

Legal Impediments Removed by Court Ruling

The recent judicial decision removed any legal impediment to commencing the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located close to the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, due to concerns of an spread of bird flu.

Recently, authorities took over of the business.

Nearly seventy birds have previously perished after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.

Midweek, the nation’s top court issued an temporary halt on the cull order as it considered whether to hear the case.

Political and Societal Responses

The increasing controversy over the ostriches – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to descend on the property, with many broadcasting their anger on online platforms.

The situation has also penetrated Canada’s federal politics.

In early October, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked repeatedly by reporters whether he backed the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making direct statements on the issue, despite many within his political group voicing opposition against the slaughter.

He informed the press the issue had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.

Cross-Border Involvement and Proposals

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

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

An US wealthy businessman has also appealed with the Canadian government to reverse its eradication directive.

Health and Ethical Debates

The national authorities said 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 urged the authority to perform further testing on the animals to confirm they are infected.

The farm owners said that because the most recent fatality happened on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority seeming healthy or healed, the flock has developed at least some level of immunity against H5N1.

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

Farm Spokesperson Response

Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the press that the authority was killing birds in good health.

“They are ancient creatures that have survived eons, but they won’t endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

A partner expressed he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.

Court and Agency Decisions

A federal court, however, found that permitting the birds to remain alive could lead to the spread of avian influenza to different species, the poultry industry – or to humans.

The authority has not announced at what time it plans to start culling the ostriches.

Eradication Procedures

An older guideline document, acquired under freedom of information laws, says ostriches can be euthanized by different means, the recommended being lethal injection, which needs multiple individuals: one person to restrain the ostrich by restraining it, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Personnel can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.

Employees of the organization can only shoot the ostriches “as a last resort”, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site.

Latest Updates

According to reports, soon after the court ruling, inspection agents started installing additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the bird enclosure.