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Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it plans to begin a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch following the supreme court refused to stop the controversial cull.

Legal Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday removed any judicial obstacle to starting the culling.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located close to the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in May to eradicate nearly 400 birds, due to concerns of an spread of bird flu.

Just days ago, authorities took over of the operation.

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

On Wednesday, Canada’s supreme court issued an temporary halt on the cull order as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Political and Public Reactions

The escalating dispute over the birds – and a simmering distrust of government – have motivated demonstrators to descend on the property, with many expressing their frustration on online platforms.

The situation has also penetrated Canada’s federal politics.

In early October, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was asked repeatedly by reporters whether he supported protesters.

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

He told the press the issue had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.

International Interest and Proposals

Several high-profile figures from the United States have lobbied authorities in Canada.

The US health secretary offered to move the birds to his ranch in Florida.

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

Health and Ethical Debates

The national authorities stated the relevant agency was adhering to a “stamping out” approach in order to limit the transmission of avian flu, a move in line with wider advice from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the agency to perform additional tests on the animals to confirm they are carrying the virus.

The farm owners said that because the last bird flu death occurred on January 15th, with the remaining birds seeming in good condition or healed, the group has developed at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.

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

Farm Representative Response

Recently, the ranch representative, informed the press that the agency was killing healthy birds.

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

A co-owner expressed he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no justice left”.

Judicial and Authority Decisions

A national court, however, found that permitting the birds to remain alive could result in the transmission of avian influenza to other animals, the poultry industry – or to humans.

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

Culling Methods

An older agency manual, obtained under public access laws, says ostriches can be killed by various methods, the recommended being lethal injection, which needs three people: one to hold the bird by restraining it, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

Staff 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 trained shooter on the premises.

Recent Updates

According to media sources, soon after the judicial decision, agency workers started installing more equipment and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the ostrich pen.