Government Proceeds with ‘Complete Depopulation’ Strategy to Cull 400 Ostriches

The nation’s food inspection agency revealed it plans to begin a total removal of hundreds of ostriches at a farm after the country’s top court declined to block the disputed cull.

Judicial Obstacles Removed by Court Ruling

On Thursday eliminated any legal barrier to starting the slaughter.

The ostrich farm, situated near the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in the month of May to eradicate nearly 400 birds, amid fears of an outbreak of bird flu.

Just days ago, authorities took over of the business.

Nearly seventy birds have previously perished after the emergence of a influenza-like sickness.

On Wednesday, the nation’s top court issued an interim stay on the cull order as it weighed whether to take up the matter.

Political and Public Responses

The escalating dispute over the birds – and a lingering distrust of government – have motivated protesters to gather at 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, the Tory leader, was questioned twice by journalists whether he backed protesters.

The Tory leader has avoided making specific comments on the matter, despite many within his political group protesting against the cull.

He informed the press the issue had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.

Cross-Border Interest and Offers

Several high-profile individuals from the United States have petitioned Canadian officials.

The US health secretary proposed to relocate the birds to his property in Florida.

An American wealthy businessman has also appealed with the Canadian government to rescind its cull order.

Health and Moral Debates

The national authorities stated the food inspection agency was adhering to a eradication 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 agency to conduct further testing on the birds to confirm they are carrying the virus.

The ranch operators claimed that because the last bird flu death occurred on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority seeming healthy or healed, the flock has acquired at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and effectiveness of testing on the ostriches.

Ranch Representative Response

Recently, the ranch representative, told the press that the agency was “murdering” healthy birds.

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

A partner expressed he was concerned that there is no fairness left”.

Judicial and Authority Decisions

A federal court, however, found that allowing the ostriches to stay alive could lead to the transmission of avian influenza to different species, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The agency has not announced when it plans to start culling the birds.

Culling Methods

An older agency manual, obtained under public access laws, says ostriches can be euthanized by various methods, the recommended being injection, which requires three people: one person to restrain the bird by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Staff can also use gas or neck dislocation.

Employees of the organization can only shoot the ostriches “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on site.

Recent Developments

As per media sources, shortly after the court ruling, inspection agents began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the ostrich pen.