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The nation’s food safety authority has announced it plans to initiate a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch following the highest judicial body declined to stop the disputed slaughter.

Judicial Impediments Cleared by Court Ruling

Thursday’s ruling eliminated any judicial obstacle to starting the slaughter.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated near the town of Edgewood, was initially directed in the month of May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, due to fears of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Earlier this week, authorities took over of the business.

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

On Wednesday, Canada’s supreme court issued an temporary halt on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to take up the matter.

Governmental and Societal Reactions

The increasing controversy over the birds – and a simmering distrust of government – have motivated protesters to descend on the farm, with many expressing their frustration on social media.

The case has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned repeatedly by journalists whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making direct statements on the matter, even though many within his party protesting against the slaughter.

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

International Interest and Proposals

Several high-profile figures from the United States have petitioned authorities in Canada.

The American health chief proposed to relocate the ostriches to his ranch in the Sunshine State.

An US wealthy businessman has also appealed with the authorities to reverse its eradication directive.

Health and Ethical Debates

The national authorities said the food inspection agency was following a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the spread of avian flu, a move consistent with wider advice from international health bodies.

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

The ranch operators said that because the last bird flu death happened on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority appearing healthy or healed, the group has developed at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.

They have also cast doubt on the scope and effectiveness of testing on the ostriches.

Ranch Spokesperson Reaction

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

“They are prehistoric animals that have endured millions of years, but they won’t survive the government agency,” she said.

A partner said he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.

Judicial and Authority Findings

A federal court, however, determined that allowing the ostriches to stay alive could lead to the transmission of avian influenza to other animals, the livestock sector – or to people.

The agency has not announced when it plans to start slaughtering the ostriches.

Culling Procedures

A 2016 guideline document, obtained under public access laws, says ostriches can be killed by various methods, the recommended being lethal injection, which requires multiple individuals: one to hold the ostrich by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

Personnel can also use gas chambers or break the birds’ necks.

Employees of the agency can only shoot the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on site.

Recent Updates

According to media sources, shortly after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up additional gear and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the ostrich pen.