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The nation’s food inspection agency has announced it aims to initiate a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch following the highest judicial body declined to block the contentious cull.

Judicial Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

Thursday’s ruling removed all legal barrier to starting the culling.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated close to the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in May to cull almost four hundred birds, amid concerns of an spread of H5N1 avian flu.

Recently, officials seized control of the operation.

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

On Wednesday, Canada’s supreme court granted an temporary halt on the cull order as it weighed whether to take up the matter.

Political and Societal Reactions

The escalating dispute over the ostriches – and a simmering 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 questioned twice by journalists whether he supported protesters.

The Conservative figure has steered clear of making specific comments on the matter, even though many within his political group protesting against the cull.

He told reporters the situation had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.

International Interest and Offers

Several prominent individuals from the United States have petitioned Canadian officials.

The American health chief offered to move the ostriches to his ranch in Florida.

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

Scientific and Ethical Debates

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

However, animal advocacy groups have called on the authority to conduct additional tests on the birds to confirm they are infected.

The ranch operators said that because the last bird flu death occurred on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds appearing in good condition or healed, the group has developed at least some level of immunity against the virus.

They have also cast doubt on the scope and reliability of testing on the birds.

Ranch Spokesperson Response

On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, told the media that the authority was killing healthy birds.

“These are prehistoric animals that have endured eons, but they won’t endure the government agency,” she stated.

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

Judicial and Authority Decisions

A national court, on the other hand, determined that allowing the birds to stay alive could result in the transmission of avian influenza to different species, the poultry industry – or to people.

The authority has not announced at what time it expects to start slaughtering the ostriches.

Eradication Methods

An older guideline document, obtained under public access laws, says ostriches can be euthanized by different means, the recommended being lethal injection, which requires three people: one person to restrain the bird by restraining it, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

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

Employees of the agency can only shoot the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.

Latest Developments

As per media sources, soon after the judicial decision, agency workers started installing additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the bird enclosure.