🔗 Share this article

The nation’s food safety authority stated it aims to initiate a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a farm following the country’s top court declined to stop the contentious eradication.

Legal Obstacles Cleared by Court Ruling

Thursday’s ruling eliminated all judicial obstacle to starting the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated near the town of Edgewood, was initially directed in the month of May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, amid fears of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the business.

Sixty-nine ostriches have already died after the emergence of a influenza-like sickness.

Midweek, Canada’s supreme court granted an interim stay on the cull order as it considered whether to take up the matter.

Governmental and Public Responses

The escalating dispute over the ostriches – and a simmering distrust of government – have motivated demonstrators to descend on the property, with many broadcasting their frustration on online platforms.

The situation has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was questioned twice by reporters whether he backed the demonstrators.

The Conservative figure has avoided making specific comments on the issue, even though many within his political group voicing opposition against the slaughter.

He told reporters the issue had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name.

International Interest and Proposals

A number of prominent individuals from the US have petitioned Canadian officials.

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

An US billionaire has also appealed with the Canadian government to reverse its cull order.

Scientific and Ethical Arguments

The national authorities said the relevant agency was following a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the spread of bird flu, a move in line with wider guidance from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the agency to perform further testing on the animals to confirm they are carrying the virus.

The farm owners said that because the most recent fatality occurred on January 15th, with the surviving majority appearing healthy or healed, the group has acquired at least some level of immunity against the virus.

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

Ranch Spokesperson Response

Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, told the media that the agency was killing birds in good health.

“These are prehistoric animals that have endured eons, but they won’t endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

A partner expressed he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no justice left”.

Court and Agency Findings

A federal court, however, found that permitting the ostriches to remain alive could lead to the spread of avian influenza to different species, the poultry industry – or to people.

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

Culling Methods

An older guideline document, acquired under freedom of information laws, says ostriches can be euthanized by various methods, the preferred being injection, which requires multiple individuals: one to hold the bird by restraining it, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection.

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

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

Latest Developments

As per media sources, soon after the court ruling, agency workers started installing more equipment and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the back of the ostrich pen.