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The nation’s food safety authority revealed it intends to start a “complete depopulation” of numerous ostriches at a farm after the highest judicial body declined to stop the disputed cull.

Judicial Obstacles Cleared by Court Ruling

Thursday’s ruling removed any legal barrier to starting the culling.

The ostrich farm, located near the town of Edgewood, was initially directed in May to cull close to 400 ostriches, due to concerns of an spread of bird flu.

Recently, officials seized control of the business.

Sixty-nine ostriches have already died after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.

On Wednesday, Canada’s supreme court issued an interim stay on the cull order as it considered whether to take up the matter.

Governmental and Public Reactions

The growing row over the ostriches – and a simmering distrust of government – have motivated protesters to gather at the farm, with many expressing their anger on social media.

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

Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, the Tory leader, was asked twice by journalists whether he backed the demonstrators.

The Conservative figure has avoided making direct statements on the issue, even though many within his political group voicing opposition against the slaughter.

He told reporters the issue had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.

Cross-Border Interest and Offers

A number of high-profile individuals from the US have petitioned Canadian officials.

The US health secretary offered to relocate the birds to his ranch in the Sunshine State.

An US billionaire has also pleaded with the authorities to rescind its eradication directive.

Health and Moral Debates

The national authorities stated the food inspection agency was following a “stamping out” approach in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a step consistent with broader guidance from global health organizations.

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

The ranch operators said that because the most recent fatality happened on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority seeming healthy or healed, the flock has acquired at least some level of immunity against the virus.

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

Farm Spokesperson Response

Recently, the ranch representative, informed the media that the authority was “murdering” birds in good health.

“These are prehistoric animals that have endured eons, but they won’t endure the government agency,” she said.

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

Judicial and Agency Findings

A national court, however, determined that allowing the ostriches to stay alive could result in the spread of avian influenza to other animals, the poultry industry – or to humans.

The agency has not announced when it plans to begin slaughtering the ostriches.

Culling Procedures

An older agency manual, obtained under freedom of information laws, says the birds can be euthanized by various methods, the recommended being lethal injection, which needs three people: one person to restrain the bird by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

Staff can also use gas or neck dislocation.

Members of the organization can only shoot the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.

Latest Developments

According to media sources, shortly after the judicial decision, agency workers began setting up additional gear and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the back of the ostrich pen.