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The nation’s food inspection agency has announced it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a farm following the highest judicial body declined to halt the controversial slaughter.

Judicial Obstacles Cleared by Court Ruling

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

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated near the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in May to eradicate almost four hundred birds, amid concerns of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the business.

Nearly seventy birds have already died after the emergence of a influenza-like sickness.

Midweek, the nation’s top court granted an temporary halt on the cull order as it weighed whether to take up the matter.

Political and Societal Responses

The escalating dispute over the birds – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to descend on the property, with many expressing their anger on social media.

The case has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

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

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

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

Cross-Border Interest and Proposals

Several high-profile figures from the United States have petitioned Canadian officials.

The American health chief proposed to move the birds to his property in Florida.

An US wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the Canadian government to reverse its cull order.

Health and Ethical Debates

The national authorities stated the relevant agency was following a eradication approach in order to contain the spread of bird flu, a step in line with wider guidance from global health organizations.

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

The farm owners claimed that because the most recent fatality occurred on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority seeming healthy or healed, the group has acquired at least some level of immunity against the virus.

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

Farm Representative Response

Recently, the ranch representative, told the press that the agency was “murdering” healthy birds.

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

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

Court and Authority Findings

A national court, however, determined that permitting the ostriches to remain alive could lead to the spread of avian influenza to other animals, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The agency has not announced at what time it plans to begin slaughtering the ostriches.

Eradication Procedures

A 2016 guideline document, obtained under freedom of information laws, says the birds can be euthanized by various methods, the recommended being injection, which requires multiple individuals: one person to restrain the bird by restraining it, another to secure the head, and one to inject the drug.

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

Employees of the agency can only use firearms on the ostriches “as a last resort”, if they have a “skilled marksman” on the premises.

Recent Updates

As per media sources, shortly after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the rear of the bird enclosure.