Government Pushes On with ‘Complete Depopulation’ Plan to Slaughter 400 Flightless Birds

The nation’s food safety authority revealed it intends to initiate a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch after the country’s top court declined to block the contentious cull.

Legal Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday eliminated all legal barrier to starting the slaughter.

The ostrich farm, located close to the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in the month of May to cull close to 400 ostriches, amid fears of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Just days ago, officials seized control of the operation.

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

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

Governmental and Public Responses

The escalating dispute over the birds – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to descend on the farm, with many expressing their frustration on online platforms.

The case has also penetrated Canada’s federal politics.

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked repeatedly by reporters whether he supported protesters.

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

He told the press the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.

International Interest and Offers

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

The US health secretary proposed to move the birds to his property in the Sunshine State.

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

Health and Ethical Debates

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

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

The ranch operators claimed that because the most recent fatality occurred on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds seeming in good condition or recovered, the group has acquired at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

They have also cast doubt on the extent and reliability of testing on the ostriches.

Ranch Spokesperson Response

On Thursday, the ranch representative, told the press that the agency was “murdering” birds in good health.

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

A co-owner said he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.

Judicial and Agency Findings

A federal court, however, found that allowing the birds to stay alive could result in the spread of avian influenza to other animals, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The authority has not said when it plans to start slaughtering the birds.

Culling Methods

An older guideline document, acquired under public access laws, states the birds can be killed by different means, the preferred being injection, which requires three people: one to hold the bird by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

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

Members of the organization can only shoot the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.

Latest Developments

As per reports, shortly after the judicial decision, agency workers started installing additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the bird enclosure.