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Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a farm after the country’s top court declined to stop the contentious eradication.

Legal Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

Thursday’s ruling eliminated all judicial obstacle to beginning the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the community of Edgewood, was initially directed in May to cull close to 400 ostriches, due to concerns of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Earlier this week, authorities took over of the operation.

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

Midweek, Canada’s supreme court granted an interim stay on the eradication directive as it considered whether to hear the case.

Political and Public Reactions

The escalating dispute over the birds – and a simmering distrust of government – have inspired protesters to gather at 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 repeatedly by journalists whether he backed protesters.

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

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

International Involvement and Offers

A number of high-profile figures from the United States have lobbied authorities in Canada.

The US health secretary offered to relocate the ostriches to his property in the Sunshine State.

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

Scientific and Ethical Arguments

The national authorities said the food inspection agency was following a eradication policy in order to contain the spread of avian flu, a move consistent with wider guidance from global health organizations.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the agency to perform additional tests on the birds to verify they are infected.

The ranch operators said that because the last bird flu death happened on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority appearing healthy or recovered, the flock has acquired at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.

They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and reliability of testing on the ostriches.

Ranch Representative Reaction

Recently, the ranch representative, informed the media that the authority was killing healthy birds.

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

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

Court and Agency Decisions

A national court, on the other hand, determined 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 said when it plans to start slaughtering the ostriches.

Culling Procedures

An older guideline document, acquired under public access laws, says ostriches can be killed by different means, the preferred being injection, which needs three people: one to hold the bird by sitting on its back, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Staff can also use gas or neck dislocation.

Members of the agency can only shoot the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on the premises.

Recent Updates

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