🔗 Share this article Authorities Pushes On with ‘Complete Depopulation’ Plan to Cull 400 Ostriches Canada’s food safety authority revealed it plans to begin a total removal of hundreds of these large birds at a farm following the supreme court declined to stop the disputed cull. Legal Obstacles Cleared by Supreme Court Decision The recent judicial decision eliminated any judicial obstacle to starting the killings. The ostrich farm, located close to the town of Edgewood, was initially directed in the month of May to cull close to 400 ostriches, amid fears of an spread of avian influenza. Earlier this week, officials seized control of the business. Nearly seventy birds have already died after the emergence of a influenza-like sickness. Midweek, Canada’s supreme court issued an interim stay on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to take up the matter. Governmental and Societal Reactions The growing row over the ostriches – and a lingering distrust of government – have motivated demonstrators to descend on the property, with many expressing their frustration on social media. The situation has also penetrated the nation’s political sphere. In early October, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked twice by journalists whether he supported the demonstrators. The Tory leader has avoided making specific comments on the issue, despite many within his political group voicing opposition against the slaughter. He told the press the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name. Cross-Border Interest and Proposals A number of prominent figures from the US have petitioned authorities in Canada. The American health chief offered to relocate the ostriches to his property in Florida. An American billionaire has also pleaded with the authorities to rescind its cull order. Health and Moral Arguments The Canadian federal government said the relevant agency was adhering to a “stamping out” approach in order to contain the spread of bird flu, a move consistent with broader guidance from global health organizations. However, animal advocacy groups have urged the authority to perform additional tests on the birds to confirm they are carrying the virus. The ranch operators claimed that because the most recent fatality occurred on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds appearing healthy or healed, 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 Response On Thursday, the ranch representative, informed the press that the agency was “murdering” healthy birds. “They are ancient creatures that have survived millions of years, but they won’t survive the government agency,” she said. A partner said he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”. Court and Agency Decisions A federal court, on the other hand, found that permitting the birds to stay alive could lead to the transmission of avian influenza to different species, the poultry industry – or to humans. The authority has not announced at what time it plans to start slaughtering the birds. Culling Methods An older agency manual, obtained under public access laws, states ostriches can be killed by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which requires three people: one to hold the ostrich by sitting on its back, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection. Staff can also use gas or break the birds’ necks. Employees of the agency can only shoot the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on the premises. Latest Developments According to media sources, soon after the judicial decision, agency workers started installing additional gear and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the back of the bird enclosure.