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The nation’s food safety authority has announced it plans to begin a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a farm following the supreme court refused to stop the contentious slaughter.

Legal Obstacles Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

Thursday’s ruling removed all legal impediment to beginning the slaughter.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated near the town of Edgewood, was first ordered in May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, due to concerns of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Just days ago, authorities took over of the business.

Sixty-nine ostriches have previously perished after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.

Midweek, Canada’s supreme court granted an interim stay on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Political and Public Responses

The escalating dispute over the ostriches – and a lingering distrust of government – have inspired demonstrators to gather at the property, with many expressing their anger on social media.

The case has also penetrated Canada’s federal politics.

Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned twice by reporters whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Conservative figure has steered clear of making specific comments on the matter, despite many within his political group protesting against the slaughter.

He informed reporters the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name.

Cross-Border Involvement and Offers

Several prominent individuals from the United States have petitioned Canadian officials.

The US health secretary proposed to relocate the birds 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 Arguments

The national authorities said the relevant agency was following a “stamping out” approach in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a step in line with wider guidance from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the authority to perform further testing on the animals to confirm they are infected.

The farm owners said 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 reliability of testing on the birds.

Farm Spokesperson Reaction

Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, told the press that the agency was killing birds in good health.

“They are prehistoric animals that have survived millions of years, but they will not endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

A partner said he was “afraid that there is no fairness left”.

Court and Authority Findings

A national court, however, determined that allowing the ostriches to remain alive could result in the transmission of bird flu to different species, the poultry industry – or to humans.

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

Culling Methods

An older agency manual, obtained 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, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Staff can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.

Members of the agency can only use firearms on the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on site.

Latest 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.