Authorities Proceeds with ‘Complete Depopulation’ Strategy to Slaughter 400 Ostriches

Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it plans to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch after the country’s top court refused to halt the disputed cull.

Legal Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday removed any legal impediment to commencing the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated near the community of Edgewood, was first ordered in the month of May to eradicate nearly 400 birds, due to fears of an spread of bird flu.

Recently, authorities took over of the operation.

Nearly seventy birds have previously perished after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.

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

Governmental and Public Responses

The escalating dispute over the birds – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have inspired demonstrators to gather at the property, with many broadcasting their anger on social media.

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

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was asked twice by reporters whether he backed protesters.

The Conservative figure has avoided making direct statements on the issue, despite many within his political group voicing opposition against the slaughter.

He told reporters the situation had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word the bird’s name.

Cross-Border Interest and Proposals

A number of high-profile individuals from the US have lobbied authorities in Canada.

The US health secretary offered to move the birds to his property in Florida.

An American wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the authorities to reverse its cull order.

Health and Ethical Arguments

The Canadian federal government said the food inspection agency was adhering to a “stamping out” policy in order to limit the transmission of avian flu, a move in line with broader guidance from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have urged the authority to perform further testing on the birds to verify they are infected.

The ranch operators claimed that because the last bird flu death happened on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds seeming healthy or recovered, the flock has developed at least some level of immunity against H5N1.

They have also cast doubt on the extent and effectiveness of testing on the birds.

Ranch Representative Response

Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the media that the agency was killing healthy birds.

“They are ancient creatures that have survived millions of years, but they will not endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

A co-owner expressed he was concerned that there is no fairness left”.

Court and Authority Decisions

A federal court, however, found that allowing the ostriches to stay alive could result in the transmission of avian influenza to different species, the poultry industry – or to people.

The authority has not announced at what time it plans to start slaughtering the birds.

Eradication Methods

An older agency manual, acquired under freedom of information laws, says ostriches can be killed by various methods, the recommended being injection, which needs three people: one to hold the bird by restraining it, another to secure the head, and one to inject the drug.

Staff can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.

Members of the agency can only use firearms on the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on the premises.

Latest Developments

As per reports, shortly after the court ruling, agency workers began setting up additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the bird enclosure.