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The nation’s food inspection agency stated it plans to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a farm following the supreme court refused to halt the contentious cull.

Judicial Impediments Removed by Court Ruling

On Thursday eliminated any judicial obstacle to beginning the killings.

The ostrich farm, located near the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in the month of May to eradicate almost four hundred birds, due to fears of an spread of avian influenza.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the operation.

Nearly seventy birds have already died after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.

Midweek, the nation’s top court granted an temporary halt on the cull order as it considered whether to hear the case.

Political and Societal Reactions

The growing row over the ostriches – and a simmering distrust of government – have motivated protesters to gather at the farm, with many expressing their frustration on social media.

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

Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned repeatedly by reporters whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has avoided making specific comments on the matter, 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 “ostrich”.

Cross-Border Involvement and Proposals

A number of high-profile individuals from the United States have lobbied authorities in Canada.

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

An US wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the Canadian government to reverse its eradication directive.

Health and Moral Debates

The national authorities said the relevant agency was following a eradication approach in order to limit the spread of bird flu, a step consistent with broader advice from international health bodies.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the agency to conduct further testing on the birds to confirm they are carrying the virus.

The farm owners said that because the most recent fatality happened on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds seeming in good condition or healed, the group has acquired at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and reliability of testing on the birds.

Ranch Representative Reaction

Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the press that the agency was “murdering” healthy birds.

“They are ancient creatures that have survived eons, but they won’t endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

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

Court and Authority Decisions

A national court, however, found that permitting the ostriches to stay alive could lead to the spread of avian influenza to other animals, the poultry industry – or to humans.

The authority has not announced at what time it plans to start slaughtering the birds.

Culling Methods

A 2016 agency manual, acquired under public access laws, says the birds can be killed by various methods, the preferred being injection, which needs multiple individuals: one to hold the ostrich by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

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

Members of the organization can only shoot the ostriches “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.

Latest Developments

According to media sources, soon after the judicial decision, agency workers began setting up more equipment and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the ostrich pen.