Government Pushes On with Full Eradication Strategy to Cull 400 Flightless Birds

The nation’s food safety authority revealed it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a farm after the country’s top court refused to block the controversial cull.

Legal Obstacles Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

The recent judicial decision removed any legal impediment to starting the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated close to the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in May to cull nearly 400 birds, amid fears of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Just days ago, authorities took over of the business.

Sixty-nine birds have previously perished after the emergence of a flu-like illness.

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

Political and Societal Responses

The increasing controversy over the ostriches – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to descend on the farm, with many expressing their frustration on social media.

The case has also entered the nation’s political sphere.

Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned twice by journalists whether he backed protesters.

The Conservative figure has avoided making direct statements on the issue, despite many within his party protesting against the slaughter.

He informed reporters the issue had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word the bird’s name.

International Interest and Proposals

A number of high-profile individuals from the US have lobbied authorities in Canada.

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

An US wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the authorities to reverse its cull order.

Health and Ethical Arguments

The national authorities stated the relevant agency was following a eradication approach in order to limit the spread of avian flu, a move consistent with wider advice from international health bodies.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the authority to perform further testing on the animals to verify they are carrying the virus.

The ranch operators said that because the most recent fatality happened on 15 January 2025, 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 testing on the birds.

Ranch Representative Response

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

“These are ancient creatures that have endured millions of years, but they will not survive the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

A co-owner said he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.

Judicial and Authority Findings

A federal court, however, determined that permitting the birds to remain alive could result in the transmission of bird flu to different species, the poultry industry – or to people.

The authority has not announced at what time it expects to start culling the ostriches.

Eradication Methods

An older agency manual, acquired under public access laws, states the birds can be killed by different means, the recommended being injection, which needs three people: one person to restrain the bird 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 trained shooter on site.

Recent Developments

According to media sources, soon after the court ruling, inspection agents started installing additional gear and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the back of the ostrich pen.