Authorities Proceeds with ‘Complete Depopulation’ Plan to Slaughter 400 Flightless Birds
Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it intends to begin a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch after the highest judicial body refused to block the contentious slaughter.
Legal Obstacles Cleared by Court Ruling
Thursday’s ruling eliminated any legal impediment to starting the killings.
Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, due to fears of an spread of bird flu.
Recently, 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 granted an temporary halt on the cull order as it considered whether to hear the case.
Governmental and Public Reactions
The increasing controversy over the birds – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to gather at the property, with many broadcasting their frustration on online platforms.
The case has also entered Canada’s federal politics.
Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned repeatedly by journalists whether he backed protesters.
The Tory leader has avoided making specific comments on the matter, despite many within his political group voicing opposition against the slaughter.
He told the press the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.
Cross-Border Interest and Proposals
Several prominent individuals from the US have lobbied authorities in Canada.
The US health secretary proposed to relocate the ostriches to his ranch in Florida.
An US wealthy businessman has also appealed with the authorities to reverse its cull order.
Health and Moral Debates
The Canadian federal government said the relevant agency was following a eradication approach in order to contain the spread of avian flu, a move consistent with broader advice from international health bodies.
However, animal rights organizations have urged the authority to perform further testing on the animals to confirm they are infected.
The farm owners said that because the last bird flu death occurred on 15 January 2025, with the surviving majority seeming in good condition or recovered, the group has developed at least some level of immunity against the virus.
They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and effectiveness of testing on the birds.
Ranch Spokesperson Response
Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the press that the authority was killing healthy birds.
“They are ancient creatures that have endured millions of years, but they will not survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.
A partner expressed he was concerned that there is no justice left”.
Court and Authority Findings
A national court, on the other hand, determined that permitting the birds to stay alive could result in the transmission of bird flu to other animals, the poultry industry – or to humans.
The authority has not announced when it plans to start slaughtering the birds.
Eradication Methods
A 2016 guideline document, obtained under freedom of information laws, states the birds can be euthanized by different means, the preferred being lethal injection, which requires three people: one person to restrain the ostrich by restraining it, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.
Staff can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.
Members of the organization can only shoot the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.
Latest Updates
According to media sources, soon after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the ostrich pen.
