🔗 Share this article Authorities Proceeds with ‘Complete Depopulation’ Plan to Cull 400 Flightless Birds Canada’s food inspection agency stated it aims to begin a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a farm following the country’s top court declined to block the contentious slaughter. Judicial Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision Thursday’s ruling eliminated all judicial obstacle to starting the killings. The ostrich farm, located near the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in the month of May to eradicate almost four hundred birds, due to concerns of an outbreak of avian influenza. Earlier this week, authorities took over of the operation. Sixty-nine birds have previously perished after the outbreak of a flu-like illness. On Wednesday, the nation’s top court granted an interim stay on the cull order as it weighed whether to take up the matter. Political and Public Responses The increasing controversy over the birds – and a simmering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated demonstrators to descend on the property, with many broadcasting their anger on online platforms. The case has also entered the nation’s political sphere. Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, the Tory leader, was questioned repeatedly by journalists whether he supported protesters. The Conservative figure has avoided making direct statements on the issue, despite many within his political group protesting against the cull. He informed the press the issue had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word the bird’s name. International Interest and Offers Several prominent individuals from the US have petitioned authorities in Canada. The US health secretary offered to move the ostriches to his property in Florida. An American wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the authorities to rescind its eradication directive. Health and Ethical Arguments The Canadian federal government said the food inspection agency was following a eradication approach in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a step consistent with wider advice from global health organizations. However, animal rights organizations have urged the authority to conduct further testing on the animals to confirm they are infected. The ranch operators said that because the last bird flu death happened on January 15th, with the remaining birds appearing healthy or healed, the group has developed at least some level of immunity against the virus. They have also cast doubt on the extent and effectiveness of the tests on the birds. Ranch Representative Reaction Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, told the press that the agency was killing healthy birds. “These are prehistoric animals that have endured millions of years, but they won’t endure the government agency,” she stated. A co-owner said he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”. Court and Agency Findings A federal court, on the other hand, found that allowing the ostriches to stay alive could result in the transmission of bird flu to different species, the livestock sector – or to humans. The authority has not announced when it plans to begin culling the birds. Eradication Methods An older agency manual, obtained under freedom of information laws, says 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, another to secure 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 ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on site. Recent Developments As per reports, soon after the judicial decision, inspection agents started installing additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the bird enclosure.