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The nation’s food safety authority revealed it plans to start a total removal of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch following the highest judicial body refused to halt the controversial slaughter.

Judicial Obstacles Removed by Court Ruling

The recent judicial decision removed all legal barrier to starting the killings.

The ostrich farm, located close to the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in May to cull close to 400 ostriches, due to concerns of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Just days ago, officials seized control of the operation.

Sixty-nine ostriches have already died after the emergence of a flu-like illness.

Midweek, the nation’s top court issued an interim stay on the eradication directive as it considered whether to take up the matter.

Political and Societal Reactions

The escalating dispute over the birds – and a lingering distrust of government – have motivated demonstrators to gather at the property, with many broadcasting their frustration on social media.

The situation has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

In early October, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked twice by reporters whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making direct statements on the issue, even though many within his party protesting against the cull.

He told the press the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name.

International Involvement and Offers

A number of high-profile individuals from the US have lobbied Canadian officials.

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

An US wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the authorities to reverse its eradication directive.

Scientific and Ethical Arguments

The national authorities said the food inspection agency was following a eradication approach in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a step consistent with broader advice from global health organizations.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the authority to perform additional tests on the birds to confirm they are infected.

The ranch operators said that because the most recent fatality occurred on January 15th, with the remaining birds appearing healthy or recovered, the flock has developed at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

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

Ranch Spokesperson Reaction

On Thursday, the ranch representative, informed the media that the authority was “murdering” birds in good health.

“These are prehistoric animals that have endured millions of years, but they won’t endure the government agency,” she said.

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

Court and Authority Decisions

A national court, however, found that permitting the birds to remain alive could result in the transmission of avian influenza to other animals, the livestock sector – or to people.

The agency has not said at what time it expects to start slaughtering the birds.

Culling Methods

A 2016 agency manual, acquired under public access laws, states the birds can be euthanized by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which needs three people: one to hold the bird by restraining it, one to hold 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 ostriches “as a last resort”, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site.

Recent Updates

As per media sources, shortly after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the ostrich pen.