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Canada’s food inspection agency stated it aims to start a total removal of hundreds of these large birds at a farm following the highest judicial body declined to halt the contentious cull.

Judicial Impediments Removed by Court Ruling

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

The ostrich farm, situated close to the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, amid fears of an spread of bird flu.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the operation.

Sixty-nine ostriches have previously perished after the emergence of a influenza-like sickness.

Midweek, Canada’s supreme court issued an interim stay on the cull order as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Political and Public Reactions

The growing row over the ostriches – and a lingering distrust of government – have motivated protesters to descend on the property, with many expressing their frustration on social media.

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

Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, the Tory leader, was questioned twice by reporters whether he backed protesters.

The Conservative figure has steered clear of making specific comments on the issue, even though many within his party voicing opposition against the slaughter.

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

Cross-Border Involvement and Offers

Several prominent individuals from the United States have petitioned authorities in Canada.

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

An US billionaire has also pleaded with the authorities to reverse its eradication directive.

Scientific and Ethical Arguments

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

However, animal advocacy groups have called on the authority to conduct further testing on the birds to confirm they are carrying the virus.

The farm owners said that because the most recent fatality occurred on January 15th, with the surviving majority seeming in good condition or healed, the group has acquired at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.

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

Farm Representative Response

On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the press that the authority was killing birds in good health.

“They are prehistoric animals that have endured millions of years, but they will not endure the government agency,” she said.

A co-owner said he was “afraid that there is no justice left”.

Judicial and Authority Decisions

A federal court, however, determined that permitting the ostriches to stay alive could lead to the transmission of avian influenza to other animals, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The agency has not said at what time it expects to begin culling the birds.

Eradication Methods

A 2016 agency manual, acquired under freedom of information laws, states ostriches can be killed by different means, the recommended being injection, which requires multiple individuals: one to hold the bird by restraining it, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Personnel can also use gas or neck dislocation.

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

Latest Updates

As per reports, soon after the court ruling, agency workers began setting up additional gear and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the ostrich pen.