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Canada’s food inspection agency has announced it aims to initiate a “complete depopulation” of numerous ostriches at a ranch after the highest judicial body declined to halt the disputed cull.

Legal Obstacles Removed by Court Ruling

On Thursday removed all legal impediment to starting the culling.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated close to the community of Edgewood, was initially directed in the month of May to cull almost four hundred birds, amid concerns of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Recently, officials seized control of the business.

Sixty-nine birds have previously perished after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.

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

Governmental and Public Reactions

The escalating dispute over the ostriches – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have inspired demonstrators to descend on the farm, with many expressing their frustration on online platforms.

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

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

The Conservative figure has avoided making direct statements on the matter, even though many within his party voicing opposition against the cull.

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

International Involvement and Offers

Several prominent figures from the US have lobbied authorities in Canada.

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

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

Scientific and Moral Arguments

The Canadian federal government stated the relevant agency was following a eradication approach in order to contain the spread of bird flu, a step in line with broader guidance from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the authority to conduct further testing on the animals to confirm they are infected.

The farm owners said that because the last bird flu death happened on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds seeming healthy or healed, the group has acquired at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

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

Ranch Representative Response

On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, told the press that the authority was killing birds in good health.

“These are ancient creatures that have survived millions of years, but they will not endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

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

Judicial and Authority Decisions

A national court, on the other hand, determined that permitting the ostriches to remain alive could result in the spread of avian influenza to different species, the poultry industry – or to humans.

The agency has not said when it expects to begin culling the ostriches.

Eradication Methods

A 2016 agency manual, acquired under freedom of information laws, says ostriches can be killed by different means, the recommended being lethal injection, which requires multiple individuals: one to hold the ostrich by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

Staff can also use gas or neck dislocation.

Members of the agency can only shoot the ostriches “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.

Recent Developments

As per media sources, soon after the court ruling, agency workers started installing more equipment and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the back of the bird enclosure.