Authorities Proceeds with ‘Complete Depopulation’ Plan to Cull 400 Flightless Birds
The nation’s food inspection agency has announced it intends to begin a total removal of hundreds of these large birds at a farm after the country’s top court refused to halt the contentious slaughter.
Legal Impediments Removed by Court Ruling
On Thursday eliminated all legal barrier to commencing the culling.
Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the town of Edgewood, was first ordered in the month of May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, due to concerns of an spread of avian influenza.
Recently, authorities took over of the operation.
Sixty-nine ostriches have previously perished after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.
On Wednesday, the nation’s top court issued an temporary halt on the cull order as it weighed whether to take up the matter.
Political and Societal Responses
The escalating dispute over the birds – and a simmering distrust of government – have motivated demonstrators to descend on the property, with many broadcasting their anger on social media.
The situation has also entered Canada’s federal politics.
Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was asked repeatedly by journalists whether he backed the demonstrators.
The Tory leader has avoided making direct statements on the matter, even though many within his party protesting against the cull.
He told the press the situation had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.
Cross-Border Interest and Proposals
A number of prominent individuals from the US have petitioned authorities in Canada.
The American health chief offered to relocate the birds to his property in the Sunshine State.
An US wealthy businessman has also appealed with the authorities to reverse its cull order.
Health and Moral Debates
The Canadian federal government said the food inspection agency was adhering to a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the spread of bird flu, a step in line with broader guidance from international health bodies.
However, animal rights organizations have urged the agency to perform additional tests on the birds to confirm they are carrying the virus.
The ranch operators claimed that because the last bird flu death happened on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority seeming in good condition or recovered, the flock has developed at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.
They have also expressed skepticism on the scope and effectiveness of the tests on the birds.
Ranch Spokesperson Reaction
On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, told the press that the authority was “murdering” healthy birds.
“They are ancient creatures that have survived millions of years, but they won’t survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.
A partner expressed he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no justice left”.
Court and Agency Findings
A federal court, however, determined that permitting the ostriches to remain alive could lead to the transmission of avian influenza to other animals, the poultry industry – or to people.
The agency has not announced at what time it expects to begin culling the birds.
Culling Procedures
A 2016 agency manual, obtained under public access laws, states the birds can be euthanized by various methods, the recommended being injection, which requires multiple individuals: one to hold the bird by sitting on its back, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection.
Personnel can also use gas chambers or break the birds’ necks.
Members of the agency can only shoot the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site.
Recent Developments
According to media sources, soon after the court ruling, inspection agents began setting up additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the ostrich pen.
