🔗 Share this article Authorities Proceeds with Full Eradication Plan to Slaughter 400 Flightless Birds Canada’s food inspection agency has announced it intends to start a total removal of numerous ostriches at a ranch after the supreme court declined to stop the disputed slaughter. Legal Obstacles Removed by Supreme Court Decision Thursday’s ruling eliminated all legal barrier to starting the culling. The ostrich farm, located close to the community of Edgewood, was initially directed in the month of May to eradicate nearly 400 birds, amid fears of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu. Just days ago, authorities took over of the operation. Sixty-nine birds have already died after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness. Midweek, Canada’s supreme court issued an temporary halt on the eradication directive as it considered whether to take up the matter. Political and Societal Responses The increasing controversy over the birds – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to descend on the property, with many expressing their frustration on online platforms. The case has also entered Canada’s federal politics. Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was asked twice by reporters whether he supported the demonstrators. The Conservative figure has steered clear of making specific comments on the matter, even though many within his political group protesting against the slaughter. He told reporters the issue had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name. Cross-Border Involvement and Offers Several high-profile figures from the United States have lobbied authorities in Canada. The US health secretary offered to relocate the ostriches to his ranch in Florida. An American billionaire has also pleaded with the Canadian government to reverse its cull order. Health and Ethical Debates The Canadian federal government stated the food inspection agency was adhering to a eradication policy in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a move in line with broader guidance from global health organizations. However, animal advocacy groups have called on the agency to perform further testing 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 healed, the flock 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. Farm Representative Response Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the press that the authority was killing birds in good health. “They are prehistoric animals that have survived eons, but they will not endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said. A partner said he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”. Court and Authority Findings A national court, however, determined that permitting the ostriches to remain alive could lead to the spread of bird flu to different species, the livestock sector – or to people. The authority has not announced at what time it expects to start culling the birds. Eradication Methods An older guideline document, acquired under public access laws, states the birds can be euthanized by different means, the preferred being injection, which needs three people: one to hold the bird by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug. Personnel can also use gas chambers or break the birds’ necks. Employees of the organization can only shoot the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on the premises. Latest Updates According to media sources, soon after the court ruling, agency workers began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the back of the ostrich pen.