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Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it plans to start a total removal of numerous ostriches at a farm following the highest judicial body declined to block the disputed slaughter.

Legal Impediments Removed by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday removed all judicial obstacle to starting the killings.

The ostrich farm, located near the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in the month of May to cull nearly 400 birds, amid concerns of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Just days ago, authorities took over of the business.

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

Midweek, the nation’s top court issued an interim stay on the eradication directive as it considered whether to hear the case.

Political and Public Responses

The escalating dispute over the ostriches – and a simmering distrust of government – have inspired protesters to descend on the farm, with many expressing their anger on social media.

The situation has also penetrated Canada’s federal politics.

In early October, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned twice by journalists whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making specific comments on the issue, even though many within his party protesting against the slaughter.

He informed reporters the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.

Cross-Border Interest and Proposals

A number of high-profile figures from the United States have lobbied authorities in Canada.

The US health secretary offered to move the ostriches to his ranch in Florida.

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

Health and Ethical Arguments

The national authorities said the relevant agency was following a eradication approach in order to contain the spread of avian flu, a move consistent with wider advice from international health bodies.

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

The farm owners said that because the most recent fatality happened on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority seeming healthy or healed, the group has acquired at least some level of immunity against the virus.

They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and reliability of testing on the birds.

Farm Representative Reaction

On Thursday, the ranch representative, informed the press that the authority was killing birds in good health.

“They 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 concerned that there is no fairness left”.

Judicial and Agency Decisions

A federal court, however, found that permitting the birds to remain alive could lead to the spread of bird flu to different species, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The agency has not announced when it expects to begin slaughtering the birds.

Culling Methods

A 2016 agency manual, acquired under public access laws, says the birds can be killed by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which needs three people: one to hold 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 break the birds’ necks.

Members of the organization can only shoot the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a “skilled marksman” on the premises.

Recent Developments

According to media sources, shortly after the court ruling, inspection agents started installing additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the bird enclosure.