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Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it plans to begin a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a farm following the country’s top court declined to stop the disputed eradication.

Legal Obstacles Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

The recent judicial decision removed any judicial obstacle to beginning the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the town of Edgewood, was first ordered in May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, amid fears of an spread of bird flu.

Recently, officials seized control of the operation.

Sixty-nine ostriches have already died after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.

Midweek, the nation’s top court granted an interim stay on the cull order as it weighed whether to take up the matter.

Political and Societal Responses

The growing row over the birds – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have inspired 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 questioned twice by journalists whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making specific comments on the issue, even though many within his party voicing opposition against the cull.

He informed the press the issue had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.

International Involvement and Offers

Several prominent figures from the US have lobbied Canadian officials.

The US health secretary offered to move the birds to his property in Florida.

An American wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the authorities to reverse its cull order.

Health and Moral Arguments

The Canadian federal government stated the food inspection agency was following a “stamping out” approach in order to limit the spread of avian flu, a step consistent with wider guidance from international health bodies.

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

The ranch operators said that because the last bird flu death happened on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority appearing healthy or recovered, the group has acquired at least some level of immunity against the virus.

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

Ranch Representative Response

Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, told the media that the agency was “murdering” healthy birds.

“These are prehistoric animals that have survived millions of years, but they won’t endure the government agency,” she said.

A co-owner said he was “afraid that there is no justice left”.

Court and Authority Findings

A federal court, on the other hand, determined that allowing the ostriches to stay alive could lead to the spread of avian influenza to different species, the livestock sector – or to people.

The authority has not said at what time it expects to begin slaughtering the birds.

Eradication Methods

An older guideline document, acquired under freedom of information laws, says the birds 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 neck dislocation.

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

Latest Updates

As per media sources, soon after the judicial decision, agency workers started installing more equipment and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the back of the ostrich pen.