🔗 Share this article

The nation’s food inspection agency has announced it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch following the supreme court declined to stop the contentious cull.

Judicial Obstacles Cleared by Court Ruling

The recent judicial decision eliminated all legal impediment to beginning the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located close to the community of Edgewood, was first ordered in the month of May to eradicate nearly 400 birds, amid concerns of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Earlier this week, authorities took over of the business.

Sixty-nine birds have previously perished after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.

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

Governmental and Public Responses

The growing row over the ostriches – and a simmering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to gather at the property, with many broadcasting their anger on online platforms.

The situation has also penetrated Canada’s federal politics.

In early October, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was asked repeatedly by journalists whether he backed the demonstrators.

The Conservative figure has avoided making specific comments on the issue, despite many within his party protesting against the slaughter.

He informed the press the issue had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.

Cross-Border Interest and Offers

Several prominent figures from the US have lobbied authorities in Canada.

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

An US billionaire has also appealed with the Canadian government to rescind its eradication directive.

Health and Ethical Debates

The national authorities said the food inspection agency was following a “stamping out” approach in order to limit the spread of bird flu, a move consistent with wider guidance from international health bodies.

However, animal advocacy groups have called on the agency to conduct further testing on the birds to verify they are infected.

The farm owners claimed that because the most recent fatality occurred on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds appearing in good condition or healed, the group has developed at least some level of immunity against H5N1.

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

Farm Representative Reaction

On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the media that the authority was killing birds in good health.

“These are ancient creatures that have endured millions of years, but they will not endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

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

Court and Agency Findings

A national court, on the other hand, found that allowing the ostriches to stay alive could lead to the transmission of avian influenza to other animals, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The authority has not announced when it expects to begin slaughtering the ostriches.

Culling Methods

An older guideline document, obtained under public access laws, says the birds can be killed by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which requires multiple individuals: one person to restrain the ostrich by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Personnel can also use gas chambers or break the birds’ necks.

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 media sources, soon after the judicial decision, inspection agents started installing additional gear and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the ostrich pen.