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Canada’s food inspection agency has announced it aims to begin a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch following the supreme court refused to halt the disputed slaughter.

Judicial Impediments Cleared by Court Ruling

The recent judicial decision removed all legal impediment to commencing the slaughter.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in May to cull almost four hundred birds, amid fears of an outbreak of bird flu.

Recently, officials seized control of the business.

Nearly seventy birds have previously perished after the emergence of a flu-like illness.

On Wednesday, the nation’s top court issued an temporary halt on the cull order as it weighed whether to take up the matter.

Governmental and Public Responses

The growing row over the ostriches – and a simmering distrust of government – have motivated demonstrators to descend on the property, with many broadcasting their frustration on online platforms.

The situation has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

In early October, the Conservative leader, the Tory leader, was asked repeatedly by journalists whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Conservative figure has steered clear of making specific comments on the matter, despite many within his political group protesting against the cull.

He informed reporters the issue had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.

International Involvement and Proposals

A number of high-profile figures from the US have petitioned Canadian officials.

The US health secretary proposed to relocate the ostriches to his ranch in the Sunshine State.

An American billionaire has also pleaded with the Canadian government to reverse its eradication directive.

Scientific and Ethical Arguments

The Canadian federal government stated the food inspection agency was adhering to a eradication approach in order to limit the transmission of avian flu, a move consistent with wider advice from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have urged the authority to conduct additional tests on the birds to confirm they are infected.

The ranch operators said that because the most recent fatality happened on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds seeming healthy or recovered, the flock has developed at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.

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

Ranch Spokesperson Reaction

On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, told the press that the agency was killing healthy birds.

“They are prehistoric animals that have endured millions of years, but they won’t endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

A partner said he was “afraid that there is no fairness left”.

Judicial and Authority Decisions

A federal court, however, determined that permitting the birds to stay alive could result in the transmission of bird flu to other animals, the livestock sector – or to people.

The authority has not said when it plans to start culling the birds.

Culling Methods

A 2016 guideline document, obtained under freedom of information laws, states ostriches can be euthanized by different means, the preferred being lethal injection, which needs three people: one to hold the ostrich by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

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.

Latest Developments

As per reports, soon after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up more equipment and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the rear of the bird enclosure.