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Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it intends to begin a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch following the supreme court refused to stop the controversial slaughter.

Legal Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

Thursday’s ruling removed all legal barrier to beginning the culling.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in the month of May to cull almost four hundred birds, due to fears of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Just days ago, officials seized control of the operation.

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

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

Governmental and Societal Responses

The growing row over the birds – and a simmering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to descend on the farm, with many broadcasting their anger on online platforms.

The situation has also penetrated the nation’s political sphere.

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 direct statements on the matter, despite many within his party protesting against the slaughter.

He told the press the situation had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.

Cross-Border Interest and Offers

A number of prominent individuals from the United States have lobbied Canadian officials.

The US health secretary proposed to relocate the ostriches to his property in the Sunshine State.

An US billionaire has also pleaded with the Canadian government to reverse its cull order.

Scientific and Ethical Debates

The Canadian federal government stated the relevant agency was following a “stamping out” approach in order to contain the spread of avian flu, a step in line with broader guidance from international health bodies.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the agency to conduct further testing on the animals to verify they are infected.

The farm owners said that because the most recent fatality occurred on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority 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 scope and effectiveness of testing on the ostriches.

Farm Representative Reaction

Recently, the ranch representative, told the media that the agency was “murdering” birds in good health.

“These are prehistoric animals that have endured millions of years, but they won’t endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

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

Court and Agency Decisions

A federal court, however, found that permitting the birds to remain alive could result in the transmission of bird flu to other animals, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The agency has not said at what time it plans to start culling the ostriches.

Culling Procedures

An older agency manual, obtained under public access laws, states the birds can be euthanized by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which needs three people: one to hold the bird by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Personnel can also use gas or neck dislocation.

Members of the organization can only shoot the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on the premises.

Recent Updates

According to reports, shortly after the judicial decision, agency workers started installing more equipment and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the ostrich pen.