🔗 Share this article

The nation’s food safety authority has announced it plans to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch after the country’s top court declined to halt the controversial slaughter.

Judicial Impediments Removed by Court Ruling

On Thursday removed any legal barrier to beginning the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated close to the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in May to cull almost four hundred birds, amid fears of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Just days ago, officials seized control of the operation.

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

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

Governmental and Public Responses

The escalating dispute over the birds – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated demonstrators to gather at the farm, with many broadcasting their anger on social media.

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

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

The Tory leader has avoided making direct statements on the issue, even though many within his party protesting against the slaughter.

He informed reporters the situation had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word the bird’s name.

International Interest and Offers

A number of high-profile individuals from the US have lobbied Canadian officials.

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

An American wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the authorities to reverse its eradication directive.

Health and Ethical Debates

The national authorities stated the relevant agency was adhering to a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a step in line with broader guidance from global health organizations.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the authority to conduct additional tests on the birds to verify they are carrying the virus.

The farm owners said that because the last bird flu death happened on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority appearing in good condition or recovered, the group has acquired at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

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

Farm Representative Reaction

Recently, the ranch representative, told the press that the agency was “murdering” birds in good health.

“These are ancient creatures that have endured millions of years, but they won’t survive the government agency,” she stated.

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

Court and Authority Decisions

A national court, on the other hand, determined that allowing the birds to stay alive could lead to the transmission of avian influenza to other animals, the poultry industry – or to people.

The authority has not announced when it plans to start slaughtering the birds.

Culling Procedures

A 2016 agency manual, acquired under freedom of information laws, states the birds can be euthanized by various methods, the recommended being lethal injection, which needs three people: one person to restrain the bird by restraining it, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Staff can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.

Members of the organization can only shoot the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.

Recent Developments

As per media sources, shortly after the court ruling, agency workers started installing additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the bird enclosure.