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Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it aims to initiate a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch after the highest judicial body refused to halt the disputed slaughter.

Legal Impediments Removed by Court Ruling

On Thursday removed any legal impediment to commencing the culling.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated near the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in the month of May to cull close to 400 ostriches, amid concerns of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the business.

Sixty-nine ostriches have previously perished after the emergence of a flu-like illness.

On Wednesday, the nation’s top court granted an temporary halt on the cull order as it considered whether to take up the matter.

Political and Societal Reactions

The increasing controversy over the birds – and a simmering post-pandemic skepticism – have inspired protesters to descend on the farm, with many broadcasting their anger on social media.

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

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

The Tory leader has steered clear of making direct statements on the issue, even though many within his party voicing opposition against the cull.

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

International Involvement and Offers

A number of prominent figures from the United States have lobbied Canadian officials.

The American health chief proposed to relocate the ostriches to his property in the Sunshine State.

An US wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the Canadian government to reverse its cull order.

Scientific and Moral Arguments

The national authorities stated the food inspection agency was adhering to a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a step consistent with wider advice from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the authority to conduct additional tests on the animals to verify they are infected.

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

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

Farm Representative Reaction

Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the media that the authority was “murdering” healthy birds.

“These are prehistoric animals that have survived millions of years, 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”.

Judicial and Agency Findings

A federal court, however, determined that allowing the ostriches to remain alive could lead to the spread of bird flu to different species, the poultry industry – or to people.

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

Culling Procedures

A 2016 guideline document, obtained under public access laws, states ostriches can be killed by various methods, the recommended being injection, which needs multiple individuals: one person to restrain the bird by restraining it, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

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

Members of the agency can only shoot the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site.

Recent Updates

According to reports, shortly after the judicial decision, agency workers started installing more equipment and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the bird enclosure.