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The nation’s food safety authority stated it plans to start a total removal of numerous ostriches at a farm following the country’s top court declined to halt the controversial slaughter.

Judicial Obstacles Cleared by Court Ruling

The recent judicial decision eliminated all legal barrier to starting the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located close to the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in the month of May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, amid fears of an outbreak of bird flu.

Earlier this week, authorities took over of the business.

Sixty-nine birds have previously perished after the emergence of a flu-like illness.

On Wednesday, the nation’s top court granted an interim stay on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Governmental and Public Responses

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

The case has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked twice by journalists whether he supported protesters.

The Tory leader has avoided making specific comments on the issue, even though many within his party voicing opposition against the slaughter.

He told reporters the issue had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.

Cross-Border Interest and Offers

A number of prominent figures from the US have lobbied Canadian officials.

The American health chief proposed to relocate the birds to his ranch in Florida.

An American wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the Canadian government to rescind its eradication directive.

Scientific and Ethical Debates

The national authorities said the food inspection agency was adhering to a eradication policy in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a move in line with broader guidance from global health organizations.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the authority to perform further testing on the animals 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 healthy or healed, the flock has developed at least some level of immunity against the virus.

They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and effectiveness of the tests on the birds.

Farm Spokesperson Reaction

Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the media that the agency was “murdering” birds in good health.

“These are ancient creatures that have survived millions of years, but they won’t survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

A partner said he was “afraid that there is no justice left”.

Court and Agency Decisions

A national court, however, determined that permitting the birds to stay alive could lead to the spread of bird flu to different species, the livestock sector – or to humans.

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

Culling Methods

A 2016 guideline document, obtained under freedom of information laws, says ostriches can be euthanized by various methods, the preferred being injection, which needs three people: one to hold the ostrich by restraining it, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Staff can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.

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

Recent Developments

According to media sources, soon after the court ruling, inspection agents began setting up additional gear and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the rear of the bird enclosure.