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The nation’s food inspection agency revealed it intends to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a farm following the highest judicial body refused to stop the contentious slaughter.

Judicial Impediments Removed by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday removed any legal impediment to commencing the culling.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located close to the community of Edgewood, was initially directed in the month of May to cull nearly 400 birds, amid fears of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Recently, authorities took over of the operation.

Sixty-nine birds have already died after the emergence of a flu-like illness.

Midweek, the nation’s top court granted an temporary halt on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Political and Societal Reactions

The growing row over the birds – and a simmering distrust of government – have motivated demonstrators to gather at the property, with many expressing their anger on online platforms.

The situation has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

In early October, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was asked twice by reporters whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making direct statements on the issue, despite many within his party voicing opposition against the cull.

He told reporters the issue had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but didn’t say the word the bird’s name.

Cross-Border Interest and Offers

Several high-profile individuals from the United States have petitioned Canadian officials.

The American health chief proposed to relocate the ostriches to his ranch in Florida.

An American wealthy businessman has also appealed with the Canadian government to rescind its eradication directive.

Health and Moral Arguments

The Canadian federal government said the food inspection agency was following a “stamping out” approach in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a move in line with wider advice from international health bodies.

However, animal advocacy groups have called on the authority to perform further testing on the animals to confirm they are infected.

The ranch operators said that because the last bird flu death happened on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds seeming in good condition or recovered, the group has developed at least some level of immunity against H5N1.

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

Ranch Spokesperson Response

On Thursday, the ranch representative, told the media that the agency was killing healthy birds.

“These are ancient creatures that have endured millions of years, but they will not survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

A co-owner said he was concerned that there is no fairness left”.

Court and Authority Findings

A national court, however, found that permitting the birds to remain alive could lead to the transmission of bird flu to different species, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The agency has not said when it plans to start slaughtering the ostriches.

Culling Methods

A 2016 guideline document, acquired under public access laws, states ostriches can be killed by different means, the preferred being injection, which requires three people: one person to restrain the bird by restraining it, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

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

Employees of the organization can only use firearms on the ostriches “as a last resort”, if they have a “skilled marksman” on the premises.

Latest Developments

As per reports, soon after the court ruling, agency workers started installing additional gear and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the ostrich pen.