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The nation’s food inspection agency stated it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch following the country’s top court refused to halt the contentious eradication.

Judicial Obstacles Cleared by Court Ruling

Thursday’s ruling removed all legal impediment to commencing the killings.

The ostrich farm, located close to the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in May to cull almost four hundred birds, amid fears of an spread of bird flu.

Recently, authorities took over of the business.

Sixty-nine ostriches have previously perished after the emergence of a flu-like illness.

Midweek, Canada’s supreme court granted an interim stay on the cull order as it considered whether to take up the matter.

Governmental and Public Reactions

The growing row over the ostriches – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to descend on the property, with many expressing their anger on social media.

The case has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, the Tory leader, was asked repeatedly by reporters whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Conservative figure has avoided making direct statements on the matter, despite many within his political group voicing opposition against the slaughter.

He informed reporters the issue had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name.

International Involvement and Proposals

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

The American health chief proposed to relocate the ostriches to his property in Florida.

An American wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the Canadian government to rescind its eradication directive.

Health and Moral Arguments

The Canadian federal government said the food inspection agency was adhering to a “stamping out” policy in order to limit the transmission of bird flu, a move in line with broader advice from international health bodies.

However, animal advocacy groups have called on the authority to conduct further testing on the birds to verify they are infected.

The farm owners said that because the last bird flu death occurred on January 15th, with the remaining birds appearing in good condition or healed, the flock has acquired at least some level of immunity against H5N1.

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

Ranch Spokesperson Reaction

On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the press that the agency was “murdering” birds in good health.

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

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

Judicial and Agency Findings

A federal court, however, determined that allowing the birds to remain alive could result in the spread of bird flu to other animals, the livestock sector – or to people.

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

Culling Methods

An older guideline document, obtained under freedom of information laws, states the birds can be killed by various methods, the recommended being injection, which requires multiple individuals: one to hold the ostrich by restraining it, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Staff can also use gas or break the birds’ necks.

Members of the agency can only use firearms on the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.

Latest Developments

As per media sources, shortly after the court ruling, inspection agents started installing more equipment and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the back of the bird enclosure.