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Canada’s food inspection agency stated it aims to begin a total removal of numerous ostriches at a ranch following the supreme court refused to stop the controversial cull.

Legal Obstacles Removed by Supreme Court Decision

The recent judicial decision eliminated any legal impediment to beginning the slaughter.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the community of Edgewood, was first ordered in the month of May to cull nearly 400 birds, amid concerns of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Earlier this week, authorities took over of the operation.

Sixty-nine ostriches have already died after the emergence of a flu-like illness.

Midweek, the nation’s top court issued an temporary halt on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Political and Societal Reactions

The growing row over the birds – and a lingering distrust of government – have motivated demonstrators to gather at the property, with many broadcasting their anger on social media.

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

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

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

He informed reporters the issue had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.

International Interest and Offers

A number of high-profile individuals from the United States have petitioned authorities in Canada.

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

An US billionaire has also pleaded with the Canadian government to reverse its eradication directive.

Scientific and Ethical Arguments

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 international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have urged the agency to perform further testing on the birds to confirm they are infected.

The farm owners said that because the last bird flu death occurred on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority appearing in good condition or healed, the group has developed at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and reliability of the tests on the ostriches.

Ranch Spokesperson Response

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

“These are prehistoric animals that have survived millions of years, but they won’t survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

A partner expressed he was “afraid that there is no justice left”.

Court and Authority Findings

A federal court, on the other hand, determined that permitting the birds to stay alive could lead to the spread of bird flu to different species, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The authority has not announced when it expects to begin slaughtering the birds.

Culling Methods

An older agency manual, obtained under public access laws, states ostriches can be killed by different means, the recommended being lethal injection, which needs multiple individuals: one to hold the ostrich by restraining it, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Personnel can also use gas 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

According to reports, soon after the court ruling, inspection agents began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the bird enclosure.