🔗 Share this article

Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of numerous ostriches at a ranch following the supreme court refused to block the controversial cull.

Legal Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday removed any judicial obstacle to commencing the culling.

The ostrich farm, situated near the town of Edgewood, was initially directed in May to cull nearly 400 birds, amid concerns of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Recently, officials seized control of the business.

Nearly seventy birds have already died after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.

Midweek, the nation’s top court granted an temporary halt on the eradication directive as it considered whether to take up the matter.

Political and Public 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 anger on online platforms.

The situation has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

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

The Conservative figure has avoided making direct statements on the issue, despite many within his political group protesting against the cull.

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

Cross-Border Interest and Offers

A number of high-profile individuals from the US have petitioned authorities in Canada.

The American health chief proposed to move the ostriches to his ranch in the Sunshine State.

An US billionaire has also appealed with the Canadian government to rescind its eradication directive.

Health and Ethical Arguments

The Canadian federal government said the relevant agency was adhering to a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a step consistent with broader guidance from global health organizations.

However, animal advocacy groups have called on the authority to perform additional tests on the birds to verify they are infected.

The farm owners claimed that because the last bird flu death happened on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds seeming 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 testing on the birds.

Ranch Spokesperson Response

Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the press that the authority was “murdering” birds in good health.

“They are ancient creatures that have endured millions of years, but they will not survive the government agency,” she said.

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

Judicial and Agency Findings

A federal court, on the other hand, 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 agency has not said at what time it expects to start slaughtering 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 injection, which requires three people: 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 agency can only use firearms on the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on site.

Recent Updates

As per reports, soon after the court ruling, inspection agents began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the ostrich pen.