🔗 Share this article

The nation’s food safety authority stated it aims to begin a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch following the supreme court declined to halt the disputed eradication.

Judicial Obstacles Cleared by Court Ruling

On Thursday eliminated any judicial obstacle to beginning 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 fears of an spread of avian influenza.

Just days ago, authorities took over of the business.

Sixty-nine birds have already died after the emergence of a flu-like illness.

On Wednesday, the nation’s top court issued an temporary halt on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to take up the matter.

Political and Societal Reactions

The escalating dispute over the birds – and a simmering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to gather at the property, with many expressing their frustration on online platforms.

The situation has also entered the nation’s political sphere.

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was questioned repeatedly by reporters whether he supported protesters.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making direct statements on the matter, despite many within his political group protesting against the slaughter.

He informed reporters the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name.

International Involvement and Offers

Several high-profile individuals from the US have lobbied Canadian officials.

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

An American wealthy businessman has also appealed with the Canadian government to reverse its cull order.

Health and Ethical Arguments

The national authorities stated the relevant agency was adhering to a eradication approach in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a move consistent with wider advice from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have urged the authority to perform further testing on the birds to verify they are carrying the virus.

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

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

Farm Spokesperson Response

On Thursday, the ranch representative, told the media that the agency was killing healthy birds.

“They are ancient creatures that have survived eons, but they will not survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

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

Court and Authority Decisions

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 authority has not said at what time it plans to begin culling the ostriches.

Culling Procedures

A 2016 guideline document, acquired under freedom of information laws, says the birds can be killed by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which needs three people: 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.

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

Recent Developments

According to media sources, soon after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the bird enclosure.