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Canada’s food inspection agency stated it aims to start a total removal of hundreds of ostriches at a farm after the highest judicial body declined to stop the contentious slaughter.

Judicial Obstacles Removed by Court Ruling

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

The ostrich farm, situated near the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, amid fears of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the business.

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

Midweek, Canada’s supreme court issued an interim stay on the cull order as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Governmental and Public Responses

The increasing controversy over the ostriches – and a simmering distrust of government – have inspired demonstrators to descend on the farm, with many expressing their frustration on social media.

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

In early October, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was questioned twice by journalists whether he supported the demonstrators.

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

He informed the press the issue had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word the bird’s name.

Cross-Border Involvement and Offers

A number of prominent individuals from the United States have lobbied authorities in Canada.

The US health secretary proposed to move the birds to his property in the Sunshine State.

An US wealthy businessman has also appealed with the authorities to rescind its cull order.

Health and Ethical Debates

The Canadian federal government stated the food inspection agency was adhering to a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the spread of avian flu, a step in line with broader advice from global health organizations.

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

The farm owners claimed that because the most recent fatality occurred on January 15th, with the surviving majority appearing healthy or healed, the flock has acquired at least some level of immunity against the virus.

They have also expressed skepticism on the scope and reliability of testing on the ostriches.

Farm Representative Reaction

On Thursday, the ranch representative, informed the press that the authority was killing healthy birds.

“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 expressed he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no justice left”.

Court and Authority Findings

A national court, however, determined that permitting the birds to remain alive could lead to the transmission of bird flu to different species, the poultry industry – or to people.

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

Culling Methods

A 2016 agency manual, obtained under public access laws, says ostriches can be killed by different means, the recommended being injection, which requires multiple individuals: one person to restrain the ostrich by sitting on its back, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Personnel can also use gas or neck dislocation.

Members of the agency can only use firearms on the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.

Recent Updates

As per media sources, shortly after the court ruling, inspection agents started installing additional gear and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the ostrich pen.