🔗 Share this article

Canada’s food inspection agency stated it intends to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a farm following the country’s top court declined to halt the controversial cull.

Judicial Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

The recent judicial decision removed any legal barrier to commencing the slaughter.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in the month of May to cull nearly 400 birds, amid concerns of an spread of bird flu.

Recently, authorities took over of the business.

Sixty-nine ostriches have previously perished after the emergence of a flu-like illness.

Midweek, Canada’s supreme court issued an temporary halt on the cull order as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Governmental and Public Responses

The escalating dispute over the ostriches – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated demonstrators to descend on the farm, with many broadcasting their frustration on online platforms.

The situation has also penetrated the nation’s political sphere.

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked twice by journalists whether he backed the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making specific comments on the matter, despite many within his party protesting against the cull.

He told the press the issue had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.

Cross-Border Interest and Proposals

Several prominent figures from the United States have lobbied authorities in Canada.

The US health secretary offered to relocate the birds to his property in Florida.

An American billionaire has also pleaded with the Canadian government to reverse its cull order.

Scientific and Moral Debates

The national authorities said the relevant agency was following a “stamping out” approach in order to contain the spread of avian flu, a step consistent with broader guidance from international health bodies.

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

The farm owners said that because the last bird flu death occurred on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority seeming healthy or recovered, the group has developed at least some level of immunity against the virus.

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

Farm Representative Response

On Thursday, the ranch representative, informed the media that the authority was killing birds in good health.

“They are prehistoric animals that have survived millions of years, but they won’t survive the government agency,” she stated.

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

Court and Authority Findings

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

The agency has not announced at what time it expects to begin slaughtering the ostriches.

Culling Methods

An older guideline document, obtained under freedom of information laws, states the birds can be euthanized by different means, the preferred being injection, which needs three people: one person to restrain the ostrich by restraining it, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Personnel can also use gas or neck dislocation.

Employees of the organization can only use firearms on the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on the premises.

Recent Updates

According to media sources, soon after the court ruling, inspection agents began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the rear of the ostrich pen.