🔗 Share this article Government Pushes On with ‘Complete Depopulation’ Plan to Cull 400 Ostriches 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 refused to block the contentious eradication. Judicial Impediments Removed by Supreme Court Decision Thursday’s ruling eliminated any judicial obstacle to beginning the slaughter. Universal Ostrich Farms, situated close to the community of Edgewood, was first ordered in the month of May to cull 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 previously perished after the outbreak of a flu-like illness. Midweek, the nation’s top court issued an temporary halt on the cull order as it weighed whether to take up the matter. Political and Public Responses The escalating dispute over the ostriches – and a simmering distrust of government – have motivated protesters to gather at the farm, with many expressing their anger on social media. The situation has also entered Canada’s federal politics. Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was asked repeatedly by journalists whether he backed protesters. The Tory leader has avoided making specific comments on the matter, despite many within his party voicing opposition against the cull. He informed the press the issue had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”. Cross-Border Involvement and Offers A number of prominent figures from the US have lobbied Canadian officials. The American health chief offered to relocate the ostriches to his ranch in Florida. An US wealthy businessman has also appealed with the authorities to rescind its cull order. Health and Moral Arguments The Canadian federal government stated the food inspection agency was following a eradication approach in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a move in line with broader advice from global health organizations. However, animal rights organizations have called on the authority to conduct additional tests on the birds to confirm they are carrying the virus. The farm owners said that because the most recent fatality occurred on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority appearing in good condition or recovered, the group has developed at least some level of immunity against H5N1. They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and reliability of testing on the ostriches. Farm Representative Response Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the press that the agency was “murdering” birds in good health. “They are prehistoric animals that have endured eons, but they won’t endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated. A co-owner expressed he was “afraid that there is no fairness left”. Court and Agency Findings A federal court, on the other hand, found that permitting the ostriches to stay alive could result in the transmission of avian influenza to different species, the livestock sector – or to people. The authority has not said when it expects to begin slaughtering the ostriches. Eradication Methods An older agency manual, obtained under freedom of information laws, states ostriches can be euthanized by various methods, the preferred being injection, which needs three people: one to hold the ostrich by restraining it, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection. Personnel can also use gas or break the birds’ necks. Employees of the agency can only shoot the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site. Recent Updates According to media sources, soon after the court ruling, agency workers began setting up additional gear and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the back of the bird enclosure.