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The nation’s food safety authority revealed it intends to initiate a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a farm after the supreme court refused to stop the disputed eradication.

Judicial Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday eliminated all legal barrier to beginning the slaughter.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated near the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in the month of May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, amid concerns of an spread of bird flu.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the business.

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

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

Political and Societal Responses

The growing row over the birds – and a simmering post-pandemic skepticism – have inspired protesters to descend on the farm, with many expressing their anger on online platforms.

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

Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned repeatedly by journalists whether he supported protesters.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making specific comments on the matter, even though many within his political group protesting against the cull.

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

International Involvement and Proposals

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 reverse its cull order.

Scientific and Ethical Debates

The Canadian federal government stated the food inspection agency was adhering to a “stamping out” approach in order to limit the transmission of bird flu, a step consistent with broader advice from global health organizations.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the authority to perform additional tests on the birds to verify they are infected.

The ranch operators said that because the last bird flu death occurred on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority appearing healthy or healed, the flock has developed at least some level of immunity against the virus.

They have also expressed skepticism on the scope and reliability of the tests on the ostriches.

Ranch Spokesperson Response

On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the press that the authority was “murdering” birds in good health.

“These are ancient creatures that have endured eons, but they will not survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

A partner expressed he was concerned that there is no justice left”.

Court and Authority Findings

A federal court, however, determined that permitting the birds to stay alive could lead to the transmission of bird flu to different species, the poultry industry – or to humans.

The authority has not announced at what time it plans to begin culling the birds.

Culling Methods

An older agency manual, acquired under freedom of information laws, says the birds can be euthanized by various methods, the recommended being lethal injection, which requires multiple individuals: one to hold the bird 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.

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

Latest Updates

According to reports, soon after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up more equipment and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the ostrich pen.