Government Pushes On with Full Eradication Strategy to Cull 400 Ostriches

The nation’s food safety authority revealed it intends to initiate a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch after the highest judicial body declined to halt the contentious slaughter.

Judicial Impediments Removed by Court Ruling

On Thursday eliminated any legal impediment to commencing the culling.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the town of Edgewood, was initially directed in May to cull almost four hundred birds, due to fears of an spread of H5N1 avian flu.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the business.

Sixty-nine birds have already died after the emergence of a influenza-like sickness.

Midweek, Canada’s supreme court issued an temporary halt on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Political and Societal Responses

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

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

In early October, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked twice by reporters whether he backed protesters.

The Tory leader has avoided making direct statements on the matter, even though many within his party protesting against the cull.

He told the press the situation had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name.

Cross-Border Interest and Offers

A number of prominent individuals from the US have lobbied authorities in Canada.

The US health secretary proposed to relocate the ostriches to his property in the Sunshine State.

An American billionaire has also pleaded with the Canadian government to reverse its cull order.

Health and Ethical Debates

The national authorities stated the relevant agency was adhering to a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the spread of avian flu, a move in line with wider advice from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have urged the authority to conduct further testing on the birds to verify 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 acquired at least some level of immunity against H5N1.

They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and reliability of the tests on the birds.

Farm Spokesperson Reaction

Recently, the ranch representative, told the press that the agency was “murdering” healthy birds.

“They are ancient creatures that have survived millions of years, but they will not survive the government agency,” she stated.

A partner said he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.

Court and Authority Findings

A federal court, however, found that allowing the birds to stay alive could lead to the spread of avian influenza to other animals, the poultry industry – or to people.

The agency has not announced when it plans to start culling the birds.

Culling Procedures

An older agency manual, obtained under freedom of information laws, says ostriches can be killed by different means, the recommended being lethal injection, which requires three people: one person to restrain the ostrich by restraining it, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

Personnel can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.

Employees of the organization can only use firearms on the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on site.

Latest Updates

As per media sources, soon after the court ruling, agency workers started installing additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the ostrich pen.