🔗 Share this article Government Proceeds with ‘Complete Depopulation’ Strategy to Slaughter 400 Ostriches Canada’s food safety authority has announced it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of numerous ostriches at a farm after the supreme court declined to stop the controversial eradication. Legal Obstacles Cleared by Supreme Court Decision The recent judicial decision eliminated any judicial obstacle to commencing the killings. The ostrich farm, situated close to the community of Edgewood, was initially directed in the month of May to eradicate nearly 400 birds, amid concerns of an outbreak of avian influenza. Recently, officials seized control of the operation. Nearly seventy birds have previously perished after the emergence of a influenza-like sickness. Midweek, the nation’s top court granted an temporary halt on the cull order as it weighed whether to take up the matter. Governmental and Public Responses The escalating dispute over the ostriches – and a simmering post-pandemic skepticism – have inspired demonstrators to gather at the property, with many expressing their frustration on social media. The case has also entered the nation’s political sphere. Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, the Tory leader, was asked twice by journalists whether he backed the demonstrators. The Tory leader has avoided making direct statements on the matter, even though many within his political group protesting against the cull. He informed reporters the issue had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”. International Involvement and Proposals A number of prominent figures from the United States have lobbied Canadian officials. The US health secretary offered to relocate the ostriches to his property in the Sunshine State. An American billionaire has also appealed with the authorities to reverse its eradication directive. Scientific and Ethical Arguments The Canadian federal government stated the relevant agency was following a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a step consistent with wider advice from international health bodies. However, animal advocacy groups have urged the authority to perform additional tests on the animals to confirm they are infected. The ranch operators claimed that because the last bird flu death occurred on January 15th, with the remaining birds appearing in good condition or recovered, the group has developed at least some level of immunity against the virus. They have also cast doubt on the extent and reliability of the tests on the birds. Farm Representative Response Recently, the ranch representative, told the press that the agency was killing birds in good health. “They are prehistoric animals that have survived millions of years, but they will not endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated. A partner said he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”. Court and Authority Findings A national court, however, determined that allowing the ostriches to remain alive could result in the spread of bird flu to other animals, the poultry industry – or to people. The authority has not said at what time it expects to begin slaughtering the birds. Eradication Methods A 2016 guideline document, obtained under public access laws, states the birds can be killed by different means, the recommended being injection, which needs multiple individuals: one person to restrain the bird by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection. Personnel can also use gas or break the birds’ necks. Members of the organization can only use firearms on the ostriches “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on site. Latest Developments According to reports, soon after the judicial decision, agency workers started installing more equipment and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the back of the bird enclosure.