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Canada’s food safety authority revealed it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch following the supreme court refused to halt the disputed cull.

Legal Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

Thursday’s ruling eliminated any legal impediment to commencing the culling.

The ostrich farm, located near the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in May to cull nearly 400 birds, due to concerns of an spread of H5N1 avian flu.

Just days ago, officials seized control of the operation.

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

Midweek, Canada’s supreme court issued an interim stay on the cull order as it considered whether to take up the matter.

Political and Public Reactions

The escalating dispute over the birds – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have inspired protesters to gather at the farm, with many broadcasting their frustration on online platforms.

The situation has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned repeatedly by journalists whether he supported protesters.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making specific comments on the issue, despite many within his political group voicing opposition against the cull.

He informed reporters the situation had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name.

International Interest and Proposals

Several prominent figures from the US have petitioned authorities in Canada.

The American health chief offered to move the birds to his ranch in Florida.

An American billionaire has also pleaded with the Canadian government to rescind its eradication directive.

Health and Ethical Arguments

The national authorities said the relevant agency was following a “stamping out” approach in order to limit the spread of avian flu, a move in line with wider advice from global health organizations.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the agency to conduct further testing on the animals to confirm they are carrying the virus.

The farm owners claimed that because the most recent fatality happened on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority seeming healthy or healed, the flock has acquired at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

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

Ranch Spokesperson Response

Recently, the ranch representative, told the press that the agency was killing healthy birds.

“They are ancient creatures that have survived eons, but they will not survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

A partner said he was “afraid that there is no fairness left”.

Judicial and Agency Decisions

A national court, however, found that allowing the birds to remain alive could result in the transmission of avian influenza to different species, the livestock sector – or to humans.

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

Culling Procedures

A 2016 guideline document, obtained under public access laws, says the birds can be euthanized by various methods, the preferred being injection, which requires three people: one to hold the bird by restraining it, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

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

Employees of the agency can only shoot the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site.

Recent Developments

As per reports, soon after the court ruling, inspection agents started installing additional gear and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the bird enclosure.