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Canada’s food inspection agency has announced it plans to start a total removal of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch following the supreme court refused to block the disputed slaughter.

Legal Obstacles Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

Thursday’s ruling removed any legal impediment to beginning the culling.

The ostrich farm, situated close to the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in the month of May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, due to fears of an outbreak of bird flu.

Just days ago, authorities took over of the business.

Sixty-nine birds have already died after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.

On Wednesday, the nation’s top court granted an interim stay on the eradication directive as it considered whether to take up the matter.

Governmental and Public Reactions

The growing row over the birds – and a lingering distrust of government – have motivated demonstrators to gather at the farm, with many expressing their frustration on online platforms.

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

In early October, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked twice by journalists whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Conservative figure has steered clear of making direct statements on the matter, despite many within his party protesting against the slaughter.

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

International Interest and Offers

Several prominent figures from the US have lobbied authorities in Canada.

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

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

Scientific and Moral Arguments

The national authorities stated the relevant agency was adhering to a eradication approach in order to limit the spread of avian flu, a move in line with broader advice from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the authority to perform additional tests on the birds to verify they are carrying the virus.

The ranch operators claimed that because the most recent fatality happened on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds seeming in good condition or healed, the flock has developed at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

They have also cast doubt on the scope and reliability of the tests on the birds.

Ranch Representative Reaction

Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the media that the authority was killing healthy birds.

“They are ancient creatures that have survived eons, but they will not endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

A partner said he was concerned that there is no justice left”.

Judicial and Agency Findings

A national court, however, determined that allowing the birds to stay alive could lead to the spread of bird flu to different species, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The agency has not announced at what time it expects to start culling the birds.

Culling Methods

A 2016 guideline document, obtained under public access laws, states the birds can be euthanized by different means, the preferred being injection, which needs three people: one person to restrain the ostrich by restraining it, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Personnel can also use gas or neck dislocation.

Employees of the agency can only shoot the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on site.

Recent Updates

As per reports, soon after the judicial decision, inspection agents started installing more equipment and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the ostrich pen.