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Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it intends to initiate a “complete depopulation” of numerous ostriches at a farm following the country’s top court declined to block the controversial cull.

Judicial Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday eliminated any legal impediment to starting the slaughter.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated near the town of Edgewood, was initially directed in May to cull nearly 400 birds, due to fears of an spread of H5N1 avian flu.

Earlier this week, authorities took over of the business.

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

Midweek, the nation’s top court granted an temporary halt on the eradication directive as it considered whether to take up the matter.

Governmental and Societal Responses

The increasing controversy over the ostriches – and a simmering distrust of government – have motivated demonstrators to descend on the property, with many broadcasting their anger on social media.

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

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked repeatedly by reporters whether he backed the demonstrators.

The Conservative figure has avoided making specific comments on the matter, even though many within his party protesting against the slaughter.

He told reporters the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.

International Involvement and Offers

Several high-profile figures from the United States have lobbied Canadian officials.

The US health secretary proposed to move the ostriches to his property in Florida.

An US billionaire has also appealed with the authorities to reverse its eradication directive.

Health and Ethical Arguments

The Canadian federal government said the food inspection agency was adhering to a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the spread of avian flu, a move consistent with wider advice from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the agency to conduct additional tests on the animals to confirm they are carrying the virus.

The ranch operators claimed that because the last bird flu death happened on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds seeming healthy or healed, the group has developed at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

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

Ranch Representative Response

Recently, the ranch representative, informed the media that the agency was “murdering” healthy birds.

“They are ancient creatures that have endured 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 justice left”.

Court and Authority Decisions

A federal court, on the other hand, found that permitting the birds to stay alive could result in the transmission of avian influenza to other animals, the poultry industry – or to humans.

The agency has not said at what time it expects to start slaughtering the birds.

Eradication Procedures

A 2016 agency manual, obtained under freedom of information laws, says the birds can be killed by different means, the preferred being injection, which needs multiple individuals: one to hold the bird by restraining it, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Personnel can also use gas or neck dislocation.

Members of the agency can only shoot the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site.

Latest Updates

According to reports, shortly after the judicial decision, agency workers started installing additional gear and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the ostrich pen.