Authorities Pushes On with ‘Complete Depopulation’ Strategy to Slaughter 400 Ostriches

Canada’s food inspection agency stated it aims to begin a “complete depopulation” of numerous ostriches at a farm after the country’s top court declined to halt the contentious slaughter.

Legal Obstacles Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

The recent judicial decision eliminated all legal barrier to starting the slaughter.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located close to the town of Edgewood, was initially directed in May to cull nearly 400 birds, due to fears of an outbreak of bird flu.

Just days ago, officials seized control of the business.

Sixty-nine ostriches have already died after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.

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

Governmental and Societal Reactions

The growing row over the birds – and a simmering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to descend on the property, with many expressing their frustration on online platforms.

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

In early October, the Conservative leader, the Tory leader, was asked repeatedly by reporters whether he supported protesters.

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

He told reporters the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.

International Interest and Offers

Several high-profile figures from the United States have lobbied Canadian officials.

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

An US wealthy businessman has also appealed with the authorities to rescind its eradication directive.

Health and Moral Debates

The Canadian federal government said the food inspection agency was adhering to a eradication policy in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a move in line with broader guidance from global health organizations.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the agency to conduct additional tests on the birds to confirm they are infected.

The farm owners claimed that because the most recent fatality happened on 15 January 2025, with the remaining birds seeming in good condition or healed, the flock has acquired at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

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

Ranch Representative Response

On Thursday, the ranch representative, informed the press that the authority was killing healthy birds.

“These are prehistoric animals that have endured millions of years, but they will not endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

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

Court and Authority Findings

A national court, however, determined that allowing the birds to remain alive could result in the spread of bird flu to other animals, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The authority has not said at what time it plans to begin culling the ostriches.

Eradication Methods

A 2016 guideline document, obtained under public access laws, states ostriches can be killed by different means, the preferred being injection, which requires three people: one person to restrain the ostrich by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

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

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

Latest Updates

As per reports, shortly after the judicial decision, agency workers started installing additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the ostrich pen.