Government Proceeds with ‘Complete Depopulation’ Plan to Cull 400 Ostriches
The nation’s food inspection agency has announced it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch following the country’s top court refused to block the contentious cull.
Judicial Impediments Removed by Supreme Court Decision
On Thursday eliminated all judicial obstacle to commencing the killings.
The ostrich farm, located close to the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in the month of May to cull nearly 400 birds, due to concerns of an outbreak of bird flu.
Just days ago, officials seized control of the operation.
Nearly seventy birds have previously perished after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.
On Wednesday, the nation’s top court issued an interim stay on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to take up the matter.
Political and Societal Responses
The increasing controversy over the birds – and a simmering distrust of government – have inspired protesters to gather at the property, with many broadcasting their frustration on online platforms.
The case has also penetrated the nation’s political sphere.
In early October, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked repeatedly by journalists whether he supported the demonstrators.
The Tory leader has steered clear of making specific comments on the matter, despite many within his political group protesting against the cull.
He told the press the issue had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.
International Interest and Offers
A number of high-profile individuals from the US have lobbied Canadian officials.
The US health secretary proposed to move the ostriches to his ranch in the Sunshine State.
An US wealthy businessman has also appealed with the authorities to rescind its eradication directive.
Scientific and Moral Arguments
The national authorities said the relevant agency was following a “stamping out” policy in order to limit the spread of avian flu, a move in line with wider guidance from international health bodies.
However, animal rights organizations have urged the agency to perform additional tests on the animals to confirm they are carrying the virus.
The ranch operators said that because the last bird flu death happened on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds seeming healthy or healed, the flock has acquired at least some level of immunity against H5N1.
They have also cast doubt on the extent and reliability of testing on the birds.
Farm Spokesperson Reaction
On Thursday, the ranch representative, informed the media that the agency was killing healthy birds.
“They are prehistoric animals that have survived eons, but they won’t survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.
A co-owner said he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.
Court and Authority Decisions
A federal court, however, determined that permitting the ostriches to remain alive could result in the spread of avian influenza to other animals, the poultry industry – or to humans.
The agency has not announced when it plans to begin slaughtering the birds.
Culling Procedures
An older agency manual, acquired under freedom of information laws, says ostriches can be killed by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which requires multiple individuals: one person to restrain the ostrich by restraining it, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.
Staff can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.
Employees of the organization can only shoot the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.
Latest Developments
According to reports, soon after the court ruling, inspection agents began setting up additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the bird enclosure.
