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The nation’s food safety authority revealed it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch after the country’s top court refused to block the contentious slaughter.

Judicial Obstacles Cleared by Court Ruling

The recent judicial decision eliminated all judicial obstacle to beginning the culling.

The ostrich farm, situated close to the town of Edgewood, was initially directed in May to eradicate nearly 400 birds, due to fears of an outbreak of bird flu.

Recently, authorities took over of the operation.

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

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

Governmental and Societal Reactions

The growing row over the ostriches – and a simmering distrust of government – have inspired demonstrators to descend on the property, with many broadcasting their anger on social media.

The case has also entered the nation’s political sphere.

In early October, the Conservative leader, the Tory leader, was asked repeatedly by reporters whether he backed protesters.

The Tory leader has avoided making specific comments on the issue, even though many within his political group voicing opposition against the cull.

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

Cross-Border Interest and Proposals

Several prominent individuals from the United States have petitioned authorities in Canada.

The American health chief offered to relocate the ostriches to his property in the Sunshine State.

An American wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the Canadian government to rescind its eradication directive.

Health and Ethical Arguments

The Canadian federal government said the food inspection agency was following a “stamping out” approach in order to limit the transmission of bird flu, a move in line with broader guidance from global health organizations.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the authority to perform additional tests on the birds to confirm they are infected.

The farm owners claimed that because the last bird flu death happened on January 15th, with the surviving majority appearing in good condition or recovered, the flock has developed at least some level of immunity against the virus.

They have also cast doubt on the scope and effectiveness of the tests on the birds.

Farm Representative Reaction

Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, told the press that the authority was killing healthy birds.

“These are ancient creatures that have survived eons, but they won’t survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

A partner expressed he was “afraid that there is no justice left”.

Judicial and Authority Findings

A federal court, on the other hand, found that permitting the ostriches to remain alive could result in the transmission of bird flu to different species, the poultry industry – or to people.

The agency has not announced at what time it plans to start culling the ostriches.

Eradication Procedures

A 2016 agency manual, obtained under freedom of information laws, states ostriches can be killed by different means, 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.

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

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

Latest Developments

According to reports, soon after the judicial decision, agency workers began setting up additional gear and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the rear of the bird enclosure.