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Canada’s food safety authority has announced it plans to begin a total removal of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch after the highest judicial body declined to stop the controversial eradication.

Legal Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

The recent judicial decision eliminated any legal barrier to commencing the killings.

The ostrich farm, located close to the town of Edgewood, was first ordered in May to cull nearly 400 birds, due to concerns of an spread of avian influenza.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the operation.

Nearly seventy birds have already died after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.

On Wednesday, the nation’s top court issued an interim stay on the cull order as it considered whether to hear the case.

Political and Public Responses

The growing row over the birds – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to descend on the farm, with many broadcasting their anger on online platforms.

The situation has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked twice by reporters whether he backed protesters.

The Conservative figure has avoided making specific comments on the issue, despite 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 Interest and Offers

Several high-profile individuals from the US have lobbied Canadian officials.

The US health secretary proposed to move the birds to his property in the Sunshine State.

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

Scientific and Moral Debates

The national authorities stated the food inspection agency was following a eradication policy in order to contain the spread of avian flu, a move consistent with broader guidance from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have urged the agency to perform further testing on the animals to verify they are carrying the virus.

The farm owners claimed that because the last bird flu death occurred on January 15th, with the surviving majority appearing healthy or healed, the group has acquired at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

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

Farm Spokesperson Response

Recently, the ranch representative, told the media that the authority was “murdering” healthy birds.

“These are prehistoric animals that have survived eons, but they won’t survive the government agency,” she stated.

A partner expressed he was “afraid that there is no fairness left”.

Court and Agency Findings

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

The authority has not announced at what time it plans to begin culling the birds.

Eradication Methods

An older guideline document, acquired under public access laws, states the birds can be killed by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which needs multiple individuals: one person to restrain the ostrich by restraining it, another to secure the head, and one to inject the drug.

Personnel can also use gas or neck dislocation.

Employees of the organization can only use firearms on the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a “skilled marksman” on the premises.

Recent Updates

According to reports, shortly after the judicial decision, agency workers began setting up additional gear and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the rear of the ostrich pen.