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The nation’s food inspection agency has announced it plans to initiate a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch following the supreme court refused to halt the controversial cull.

Judicial Obstacles Removed by Court Ruling

On Thursday eliminated all legal barrier to starting the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in May to cull almost four hundred birds, amid fears of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Recently, officials seized control of the business.

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

Midweek, the nation’s top court granted an interim stay on the eradication directive as it weighed whether to take up the matter.

Governmental and Public Responses

The increasing controversy over the birds – and a lingering distrust of government – have inspired protesters to descend on the farm, with many expressing their frustration on social media.

The situation has also penetrated Canada’s federal politics.

In early October, the Conservative leader, the Tory leader, was asked twice by journalists whether he backed protesters.

The Tory leader has avoided making specific comments on the issue, despite many within his party protesting against the cull.

He informed reporters the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.

International Involvement and Offers

A number of high-profile individuals from the US have petitioned Canadian officials.

The American health chief proposed to move the ostriches to his property in the Sunshine State.

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

Scientific and Moral Arguments

The Canadian federal government said the relevant agency was adhering to a eradication approach in order to limit the spread of bird flu, a move consistent with broader advice from international health bodies.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the authority to conduct additional tests on the animals to verify they are carrying the virus.

The ranch operators claimed that because the last bird flu death happened on January 15th, with the remaining birds seeming in good condition or recovered, the flock has developed at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.

They have also cast doubt on the extent and effectiveness of the tests on the birds.

Ranch Spokesperson Reaction

Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, told the media that the agency was killing birds in good health.

“They are prehistoric animals that have survived eons, but they will not endure the government agency,” she stated.

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

Judicial and Authority Findings

A federal court, however, found that permitting the ostriches to remain alive could result in the transmission of bird flu to other animals, the poultry industry – or to humans.

The agency has not said at what time it plans to start culling the ostriches.

Culling Methods

An older guideline document, obtained under public access laws, says the birds can be killed by different means, the preferred being lethal injection, which requires three people: one to hold the bird by restraining it, another to secure the head, and one to inject the drug.

Personnel can also use gas or break the birds’ necks.

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

Latest Updates

As per reports, soon after the judicial decision, agency workers started installing additional gear and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the back of the ostrich pen.