🔗 Share this article

Canada’s food inspection agency stated it intends to begin a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch after the country’s top court declined to stop the controversial eradication.

Legal Obstacles Removed by Court Ruling

On Thursday removed any judicial obstacle to starting the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located close to the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in the month of May to cull nearly 400 birds, amid concerns of an outbreak of bird flu.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the business.

Nearly seventy birds have previously perished after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.

On Wednesday, the nation’s top court granted an interim stay on the cull order as it weighed whether to take up the matter.

Political and Societal Reactions

The growing row over the birds – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated demonstrators to descend on the property, with many expressing their anger on online platforms.

The situation has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

In early October, the Conservative leader, the Tory leader, was questioned twice by reporters whether he supported protesters.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making direct statements on the matter, even though many within his party protesting against the cull.

He informed the press the issue had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name.

Cross-Border Involvement and Offers

Several prominent figures from the US have lobbied Canadian officials.

The American health chief offered to relocate the ostriches to his property in Florida.

An American billionaire has also appealed with the authorities to reverse its cull order.

Health and Moral Arguments

The Canadian federal government stated the relevant agency was adhering to a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a move consistent with wider guidance from global health organizations.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the agency to perform additional tests on the birds to confirm they are carrying the virus.

The ranch operators claimed that because the most recent fatality happened on January 15th, with the surviving majority seeming healthy or recovered, the group has acquired at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

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

Ranch Spokesperson Response

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

“These are prehistoric animals that have endured millions of years, but they will not endure the government agency,” she said.

A partner said he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.

Judicial and Authority Findings

A national court, on the other hand, found that allowing the birds to remain alive could result in the transmission of bird flu to other animals, the poultry industry – or to humans.

The agency has not announced when it plans to begin culling the birds.

Eradication Methods

An older agency manual, obtained under freedom of information laws, says ostriches can be killed by different means, the recommended being injection, which requires multiple individuals: 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 neck dislocation.

Employees of the organization can only use firearms on the ostriches “as a last resort”, if they have a “skilled marksman” on the premises.

Recent Updates

As per reports, shortly after the court ruling, agency workers started installing more equipment and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the bird enclosure.