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Canada’s food safety authority stated it plans to begin a total removal of hundreds of ostriches at a farm after the country’s top court refused to block the contentious eradication.

Judicial Impediments Cleared by Court Ruling

The recent judicial decision eliminated all judicial obstacle to starting the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the town of Edgewood, was first ordered in the month of May to cull nearly 400 birds, due to fears of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Just days ago, authorities took over of the operation.

Nearly seventy birds have already died after the emergence of a flu-like illness.

On Wednesday, the nation’s top court issued an interim stay on the eradication directive as it considered whether to hear the case.

Governmental and Public Responses

The growing row over the birds – and a lingering distrust of government – have inspired demonstrators 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 asked repeatedly by journalists whether he backed the demonstrators.

The Conservative figure has avoided making specific comments on the matter, despite many within his political group voicing opposition against the slaughter.

He informed reporters the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but didn’t say the word the bird’s name.

International Interest and Offers

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

The US health secretary offered to relocate the ostriches to his ranch in Florida.

An US billionaire has also pleaded with the authorities to rescind its eradication directive.

Health and Moral Arguments

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

However, animal rights organizations have urged the agency to perform additional tests on the birds to verify they are carrying the virus.

The ranch operators said that because the most recent fatality happened on January 15th, with the remaining birds appearing in good condition or recovered, the group has developed at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.

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

Farm Spokesperson Reaction

On Thursday, the ranch representative, informed the press that the authority was killing healthy birds.

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

A partner expressed he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no justice left”.

Judicial and Authority Decisions

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

Culling Methods

A 2016 guideline document, obtained under freedom of information laws, states the birds can be euthanized by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which needs multiple individuals: one person to restrain the ostrich by sitting on its back, another to secure the head, and one to inject the drug.

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

Employees of the organization can only shoot the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on the premises.

Recent Developments

As per reports, shortly after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up more equipment and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the rear of the bird enclosure.