Government Proceeds with Full Eradication Strategy to Cull 400 Flightless Birds
The nation’s food safety authority has announced it intends to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch following the highest judicial body refused to stop the contentious slaughter.
Judicial Impediments Removed by Court Ruling
Thursday’s ruling removed any legal barrier to beginning the slaughter.
Universal Ostrich Farms, located close to the community of Edgewood, was initially directed in May to eradicate nearly 400 birds, due to fears of an spread of avian influenza.
Just days ago, officials seized control of the business.
Sixty-nine birds have previously perished after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.
Midweek, Canada’s supreme court issued an interim stay on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to take up the matter.
Political and Public Reactions
The increasing controversy over the ostriches – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have inspired demonstrators to descend on the property, with many expressing their anger on online platforms.
The case has also penetrated Canada’s federal politics.
Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was questioned repeatedly by reporters whether he backed protesters.
The Conservative figure has avoided making specific comments on the matter, despite many within his party protesting against the slaughter.
He told reporters the issue had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.
Cross-Border Interest and Offers
Several high-profile individuals from the US have lobbied authorities in Canada.
The American health chief offered to move the birds to his property in Florida.
An US billionaire has also appealed with the authorities to reverse its cull order.
Health and Ethical Arguments
The national authorities said the food inspection agency was following a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a step in line with wider advice from global health organizations.
However, animal rights organizations have called on the agency to perform additional tests on the animals to confirm they are infected.
The ranch operators claimed that because the most recent fatality occurred on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds seeming in good condition or healed, the flock has developed at least some level of immunity against the virus.
They have also cast doubt on the extent and reliability of testing on the birds.
Ranch Spokesperson Reaction
On Thursday, the ranch representative, told the press that the agency was “murdering” birds in good health.
“These are prehistoric animals that have survived 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”.
Judicial and Authority Decisions
A federal court, however, determined that allowing the birds to remain alive could lead to the transmission of bird flu to other animals, the poultry industry – or to people.
The authority has not announced when it plans to start slaughtering the birds.
Eradication Procedures
A 2016 guideline document, obtained under public access laws, says the birds can be euthanized by various methods, the preferred being injection, which needs multiple individuals: one person to restrain the ostrich by restraining it, another to secure 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 in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on the premises.
Latest Updates
As per reports, shortly after the judicial decision, inspection agents started installing additional gear and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the back of the bird enclosure.