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Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it intends to begin a total removal of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch after the highest judicial body refused to block the controversial cull.

Judicial Obstacles Removed by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday removed all legal impediment to starting the culling.

The ostrich farm, situated close to the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in May to eradicate almost four hundred birds, amid concerns of an outbreak of bird flu.

Recently, officials seized control of the business.

Sixty-nine ostriches have previously perished after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.

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

Governmental and Public Reactions

The increasing controversy over the ostriches – and a lingering distrust of government – have inspired demonstrators to descend on the property, with many broadcasting their frustration on social media.

The case has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

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 specific comments on the matter, despite many within his political group voicing opposition against the cull.

He told reporters the issue had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word the bird’s name.

International Interest and Offers

Several high-profile individuals from the US have lobbied authorities in Canada.

The US health secretary proposed to move the ostriches to his ranch in Florida.

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

Scientific and Ethical Debates

The Canadian federal government said the food inspection agency was following a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the spread of bird flu, a move consistent with wider guidance from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the agency to perform further testing on the animals to verify they are carrying the virus.

The farm owners claimed that because the last bird flu death occurred on January 15th, with the surviving majority appearing in good condition or recovered, the flock has developed at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

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

Ranch Representative Reaction

Recently, the ranch representative, informed the media that the agency was killing healthy birds.

“These are prehistoric animals that have endured eons, but they won’t endure the government agency,” she stated.

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

Court and Agency Decisions

A federal court, on the other hand, found that permitting the birds to stay alive could lead to the spread of avian influenza to different species, the livestock sector – or to people.

The agency has not said when it plans to start culling the ostriches.

Eradication Procedures

An older agency manual, acquired under freedom of information laws, says the birds can be euthanized by different means, the preferred being injection, which requires multiple individuals: one person to restrain the ostrich by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

Staff can also use gas or neck dislocation.

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

Latest Developments

As per media sources, shortly after the court ruling, inspection agents began setting up more equipment and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the back of the ostrich pen.