🔗 Share this article Government Pushes On with ‘Complete Depopulation’ Strategy to Cull 400 Flightless Birds Canada’s food safety authority has announced it plans to initiate a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of these large birds at a ranch following the country’s top court refused to block the controversial cull. Legal Impediments Removed by Court Ruling Thursday’s ruling removed any legal impediment to commencing the slaughter. The ostrich farm, located close to the community of Edgewood, was initially directed in the month of May to cull close to 400 ostriches, due to fears of an spread of bird flu. Recently, authorities took over of the operation. Nearly seventy birds have already died after the outbreak of a flu-like illness. On Wednesday, the nation’s top court granted an interim stay on the cull order as it weighed whether to take up the matter. Governmental and Public Responses The increasing controversy over the birds – and a simmering distrust of government – have inspired demonstrators to gather at the property, with many expressing their anger on online platforms. The situation has also entered Canada’s federal politics. In early October, the Conservative leader, the Tory leader, was asked repeatedly by journalists whether he backed protesters. The Conservative figure has avoided making direct statements on the matter, despite many within his political group protesting against the slaughter. He told the press the issue had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name. International Interest and Offers A number of high-profile figures from the US have lobbied Canadian officials. The American health chief offered to move the birds to his property in the Sunshine State. An US billionaire has also appealed with the authorities to reverse its eradication directive. Scientific and Moral Arguments The national authorities said the food inspection agency was following a “stamping out” approach in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a step in line with broader guidance from global health organizations. However, animal rights organizations have urged the authority to conduct additional tests on the animals to verify they are infected. The farm owners said that because the most recent fatality happened on January 15th, with the remaining birds seeming in good condition or healed, the group has acquired at least some level of immunity against the virus. They have also cast doubt on the extent and reliability of the tests on the birds. Farm Representative Response On Thursday, the ranch representative, told the press that the agency was killing healthy birds. “They are prehistoric animals that have endured eons, but they won’t endure the government agency,” she said. A co-owner said he was “afraid that there is no fairness left”. Judicial and Authority Decisions A national court, however, found that permitting the ostriches to stay alive could result in the transmission of avian influenza to different species, the poultry industry – or to humans. The agency has not announced at what time it plans to start slaughtering the birds. Culling Procedures An older guideline document, acquired under public access laws, says the birds can be killed by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which needs multiple individuals: one person to restrain the bird by restraining it, another to secure the head, and one to inject the drug. Staff can also use gas or neck dislocation. Members of the agency can only use firearms on the ostriches “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on site. Latest Updates According to media sources, shortly after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the rear of the ostrich pen.