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Canada’s food inspection agency stated it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch following the highest judicial body declined to block the controversial slaughter.

Judicial Impediments Removed by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday eliminated any legal barrier to beginning the killings.

The ostrich farm, situated near the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in the month of May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, amid fears of an spread of bird flu.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the operation.

Sixty-nine birds have previously perished after the emergence of a flu-like illness.

Midweek, Canada’s supreme court issued an interim stay on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Political and Societal Responses

The escalating dispute over the ostriches – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to gather at the property, with many expressing their frustration on social media.

The situation has also penetrated Canada’s federal politics.

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was questioned twice by reporters whether he backed the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has avoided making specific comments on the issue, despite many within his party protesting against the slaughter.

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

Cross-Border Involvement and Proposals

A number of high-profile individuals from the United States have petitioned Canadian officials.

The US health secretary offered to move the ostriches to his ranch in the Sunshine State.

An American wealthy businessman has also appealed with the authorities to rescind its eradication directive.

Health and Ethical Debates

The Canadian federal government stated the relevant agency was adhering to a “stamping out” approach in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a step in line with wider guidance from global health organizations.

However, animal rights organizations have urged the agency to perform additional tests on the animals to confirm they are infected.

The ranch operators said that because the most recent fatality happened on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds appearing healthy or recovered, the group has acquired at least some level of immunity against H5N1.

They have also cast doubt on the extent and effectiveness of testing on the birds.

Ranch Spokesperson Response

Recently, the ranch representative, informed the media that the agency was killing birds in good health.

“These are prehistoric animals that have survived eons, but they won’t survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

A co-owner said he was concerned that there is no fairness left”.

Judicial and Agency Decisions

A national court, on the other hand, found that permitting the ostriches to stay alive could result in the spread of bird flu to different species, the poultry industry – or to people.

The agency has not said at what time it expects to start culling the birds.

Culling Procedures

An older agency manual, acquired under freedom of information laws, states ostriches can be killed by different means, the recommended being injection, which requires three people: one person to restrain the bird by sitting on its back, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Staff can also use gas or neck dislocation.

Employees of the agency can only use firearms on the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.

Recent Updates

As per media sources, soon after the judicial decision, inspection agents started installing more equipment and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the rear of the bird enclosure.