🔗 Share this article Authorities Pushes On with ‘Complete Depopulation’ Strategy to Slaughter 400 Ostriches Canada’s food safety authority has announced it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of numerous ostriches at a farm following the country’s top court declined to stop the disputed slaughter. Legal Obstacles Removed by Supreme Court Decision Thursday’s ruling eliminated all judicial obstacle to starting the slaughter. The ostrich farm, located close to the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in the month of May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, due to fears of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu. Just days ago, authorities took over of the business. Sixty-nine ostriches have previously perished after the emergence of a flu-like illness. On Wednesday, Canada’s supreme court issued an temporary halt on the eradication directive as it considered whether to hear the case. Political and Public Reactions The increasing controversy over the ostriches – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to gather at the property, with many broadcasting their frustration on online platforms. The situation has also entered the nation’s political sphere. Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked repeatedly by journalists whether he supported the demonstrators. The Conservative figure has avoided making specific comments on the matter, even though many within his political group protesting against the cull. He told the press the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”. International Involvement and Proposals A number of high-profile figures from the US have lobbied Canadian officials. The US health secretary proposed to move the ostriches to his ranch in Florida. An American wealthy businessman has also appealed with the Canadian government to rescind its cull order. Health and Ethical Arguments The Canadian federal government stated the food inspection agency was adhering to a “stamping out” approach in order to limit the spread of bird flu, a move in line with wider guidance from international health bodies. However, animal rights organizations have urged the agency to conduct further testing on the animals to verify they are infected. The ranch operators claimed that because the last bird flu death happened on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds seeming healthy or recovered, the group has developed at least partial herd immunity against the virus. They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and effectiveness of the tests on the ostriches. Farm Representative Response Recently, the ranch representative, told the media that the agency was killing healthy birds. “These are ancient creatures that have endured eons, but they won’t endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said. A partner expressed he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”. Judicial and Agency Decisions A national court, however, determined that permitting the birds to stay alive could result in the transmission of avian influenza to different species, the poultry industry – or to people. The agency has not announced at what time it plans to begin culling the birds. Eradication Procedures An older agency manual, acquired under public access laws, states the birds can be killed by various methods, the recommended being lethal injection, which requires multiple individuals: one person to restrain the ostrich by sitting on its back, another to secure the head, and one to inject the drug. Personnel can also use gas or neck dislocation. Employees of the agency can only use firearms on the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on site. Recent Developments According to media sources, shortly after the judicial decision, inspection agents started installing additional gear and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the bird enclosure.