🔗 Share this article Authorities Pushes On with Full Eradication Plan to Slaughter 400 Ostriches Canada’s food inspection agency stated it plans to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch after the supreme court refused to block the contentious cull. Legal Obstacles Removed by Court Ruling Thursday’s ruling removed any legal barrier to commencing the culling. Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the community of Edgewood, was first ordered in May to cull close to 400 ostriches, amid concerns of an outbreak of bird flu. Earlier this week, authorities took over of the operation. Nearly seventy birds have previously perished after the emergence of a flu-like illness. Midweek, the nation’s top court issued an interim stay on the eradication directive as it considered whether to take up the matter. Governmental and Societal Reactions The increasing controversy over the birds – and a simmering distrust of government – have inspired protesters to gather at the farm, with many expressing their frustration on online platforms. The case has also penetrated the nation’s political sphere. In early October, the Conservative leader, the Tory leader, was asked twice by journalists whether he supported protesters. The Conservative figure has steered clear of making direct statements on the matter, even though many within his party voicing opposition against the slaughter. He told reporters the issue had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word “ostrich”. International Involvement and Offers Several prominent figures from the US have lobbied authorities in Canada. The American health chief offered to relocate the birds to his ranch in the Sunshine State. An US wealthy businessman has also appealed with the Canadian government to rescind its cull order. Health and Moral Debates The Canadian federal government stated the relevant agency was adhering to a “stamping out” policy in order to limit the transmission of bird flu, a move in line with broader guidance from international health bodies. However, animal rights organizations have called on the agency to perform additional tests on the animals to verify they are infected. The ranch operators said that because the most recent fatality occurred on January 15th, with the remaining birds appearing healthy or recovered, the flock has developed at least partial herd immunity against the virus. They have also cast doubt on the scope and reliability of the tests on the birds. Farm Spokesperson Reaction Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the media that the authority was “murdering” birds in good health. “These are prehistoric animals that have endured eons, but they won’t endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said. A partner said he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”. Judicial and Authority Findings A federal court, however, determined that permitting the birds to stay alive could result in the spread of avian influenza to other animals, the livestock sector – or to humans. The authority has not said when it expects to start culling the ostriches. Eradication Methods A 2016 guideline document, obtained under freedom of information laws, says ostriches can be euthanized by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which requires multiple individuals: one person to restrain the ostrich by restraining it, another to secure the head, and one to inject the drug. Personnel can also use gas or break the birds’ necks. Employees of the organization can only shoot the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on the premises. Recent Updates According to reports, soon after the judicial decision, agency workers started installing more equipment and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the ostrich pen.