🔗 Share this article

The nation’s food inspection agency revealed it aims to start a total removal of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch after the highest judicial body declined to block the disputed slaughter.

Judicial Obstacles Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

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

The ostrich farm, situated near the town of Edgewood, was first ordered in the month of May to cull nearly 400 birds, due to concerns of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Earlier this week, authorities took over of the business.

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

On Wednesday, Canada’s supreme court granted an interim stay on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Governmental and Societal Responses

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

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

In early October, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was asked twice by reporters whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has avoided making direct statements on the matter, despite many within his party voicing opposition against the slaughter.

He told reporters the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.

Cross-Border Involvement and Proposals

Several prominent figures from the US have petitioned Canadian officials.

The US health secretary offered to relocate the ostriches to his property in the Sunshine State.

An American wealthy businessman has also appealed with the Canadian government to rescind its cull order.

Scientific and Moral Debates

The Canadian federal government said the relevant agency was following a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a move in line with wider advice from international health bodies.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the agency to perform further testing on the animals to verify they are carrying the virus.

The farm owners said that because the most recent fatality occurred on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority seeming in good condition or healed, the flock has acquired at least some level of immunity against the virus.

They have also expressed skepticism on the scope and effectiveness of the tests on the ostriches.

Farm Spokesperson Reaction

On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, told the press that the authority was “murdering” birds in good health.

“These are ancient creatures that have endured eons, but they won’t endure the government agency,” she stated.

A co-owner said he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.

Judicial and Authority Decisions

A national court, on the other hand, found that allowing the birds to stay alive could lead to the transmission of avian influenza to different species, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The authority has not said when it expects to begin culling the ostriches.

Culling Procedures

An older guideline document, acquired under public access laws, states ostriches can be euthanized by different means, the preferred being lethal injection, which needs three people: one person to restrain the ostrich by restraining it, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

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

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

Recent Updates

According to media sources, soon after the court ruling, inspection agents began setting up additional gear and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the rear of the bird enclosure.