Government Proceeds with Full Eradication Plan to Slaughter 400 Flightless Birds
Canada’s food safety authority revealed it plans to start a total removal of hundreds of these large birds at a farm following the country’s top court declined to stop the disputed eradication.
Judicial Impediments Cleared by Court Ruling
On Thursday eliminated any judicial obstacle to starting the slaughter.
Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in the month of May to cull almost four hundred birds, amid fears of an spread of avian influenza.
Just days ago, officials seized control of the operation.
Nearly seventy birds have already died after the emergence of a flu-like illness.
On Wednesday, the nation’s top court granted an interim stay on the cull order as it weighed whether to hear the case.
Political and Societal Responses
The growing row over the ostriches – and a simmering distrust of government – have inspired demonstrators to descend on the property, with many broadcasting their frustration on social media.
The case has also penetrated the nation’s political sphere.
In early October, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned repeatedly by journalists whether he backed the demonstrators.
The Tory leader has steered clear of making direct statements on the issue, even though many within his party protesting against the slaughter.
He told reporters the issue had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word the bird’s name.
International Interest and Offers
Several prominent individuals from the United States have petitioned authorities in Canada.
The American health chief proposed to relocate the birds to his property in the Sunshine State.
An US billionaire has also pleaded with the Canadian government to reverse its cull order.
Health and Ethical Arguments
The Canadian federal government said the food inspection agency was adhering to a eradication approach in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a move consistent with broader advice from international health bodies.
However, animal rights organizations have called on the authority to perform further testing on the birds to verify they are carrying the virus.
The farm owners said that because the last bird flu death occurred on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority seeming healthy or recovered, the group has developed at least some level of immunity against the virus.
They have also cast doubt on the extent and effectiveness of testing on the birds.
Ranch Spokesperson Reaction
On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the media that the agency was killing healthy birds.
“They are ancient creatures that have survived eons, but they won’t survive the government agency,” she stated.
A partner expressed he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.
Court and Authority Findings
A federal court, on the other hand, determined that permitting the birds to remain alive could lead to the transmission of bird flu to other animals, the livestock sector – or to humans.
The authority has not said when it plans to begin culling the ostriches.
Eradication Methods
A 2016 agency manual, acquired under public access laws, says ostriches can be euthanized by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which needs multiple individuals: one to hold the ostrich by restraining it, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.
Personnel can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.
Employees of the organization can only shoot the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site.
Recent Updates
As per reports, shortly after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up additional gear and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the back of the ostrich pen.