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Canada’s food safety authority revealed it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of numerous ostriches at a farm following the supreme court declined to stop the controversial slaughter.

Judicial Impediments Removed by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday eliminated all legal barrier to starting the slaughter.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated close to the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in the month of May to cull close to 400 ostriches, amid fears of an spread of avian influenza.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the operation.

Nearly seventy birds have previously perished after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.

On Wednesday, Canada’s supreme court granted an interim stay on the cull order as it weighed whether to take up the matter.

Governmental and Societal Responses

The escalating dispute over the ostriches – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to gather at the farm, with many expressing their anger on social media.

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

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

The Conservative figure has steered clear of making direct statements on the issue, even though many within his political group protesting against the slaughter.

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

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

The American health chief proposed to relocate the ostriches to his ranch in the Sunshine State.

An US billionaire has also appealed with the Canadian government to reverse its cull order.

Scientific and Moral Arguments

The Canadian federal government said the relevant agency was adhering to a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a step in line with wider advice from global health organizations.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the authority to conduct additional tests on the animals to confirm they are infected.

The farm owners claimed that because the last bird flu death occurred on January 15th, with the remaining birds seeming in good condition or recovered, the flock has acquired at least some level of immunity against H5N1.

They have also cast doubt on the scope and reliability of testing on the ostriches.

Farm Spokesperson Response

On Thursday, the ranch representative, told the press that the authority was killing birds in good health.

“These are ancient creatures that have survived eons, but they will not endure the government agency,” she said.

A partner said he was concerned that there is no justice left”.

Judicial and Authority Findings

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

The agency has not said when it plans to begin slaughtering the ostriches.

Eradication Procedures

An older agency manual, acquired under freedom of information laws, states the birds can be killed by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which requires three people: one to hold the ostrich by restraining it, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection.

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

Employees of the agency can only shoot the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on the premises.

Latest Developments

According to reports, soon after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up additional gear and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the rear of the bird enclosure.