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Canada’s food safety authority has announced it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a farm after the supreme court declined to stop the contentious slaughter.

Judicial Obstacles Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

Thursday’s ruling eliminated any legal barrier to starting the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the community of Edgewood, was first ordered in the month of May to cull close to 400 ostriches, due to fears of an spread of H5N1 avian flu.

Just days ago, officials seized control of the operation.

Sixty-nine ostriches have previously perished after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.

On Wednesday, the nation’s top court issued an interim stay on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to take up the matter.

Political and Societal Reactions

The escalating dispute over the ostriches – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to gather at the farm, with many expressing their anger on online platforms.

The case has also entered the nation’s political sphere.

In early October, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned twice by reporters whether he backed the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has avoided making direct statements on the issue, even though many within his party protesting against the cull.

He told reporters the situation had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.

Cross-Border Involvement and Proposals

A number of high-profile individuals from the United States have lobbied authorities in Canada.

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

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

Health and Ethical Debates

The Canadian federal government stated the food inspection agency was following a eradication approach in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a step in line with broader guidance from international health bodies.

However, animal advocacy groups have called on the agency to conduct additional tests on the animals to verify they are infected.

The ranch operators claimed that because the most recent fatality occurred on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority appearing in good condition or healed, the group has developed at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.

They have also cast doubt on the scope and effectiveness of testing on the birds.

Ranch Spokesperson Reaction

On Thursday, the ranch representative, informed the media that the authority was “murdering” healthy birds.

“These are ancient creatures that have endured eons, but they won’t survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

A co-owner said he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no justice left”.

Court and Agency Decisions

A federal court, however, found that permitting the birds to stay alive could lead to the spread of avian influenza to different species, the poultry industry – or to humans.

The authority has not announced when it expects to begin culling the ostriches.

Eradication Procedures

An older guideline document, obtained under freedom of information laws, says ostriches can be euthanized by different means, the preferred being injection, which requires multiple individuals: one person to restrain the bird by restraining it, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Personnel can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.

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

Recent Developments

As per reports, shortly after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the bird enclosure.