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Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it intends to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch following the country’s top court declined to block the contentious slaughter.

Legal Obstacles Cleared by Court Ruling

Thursday’s ruling removed all legal barrier to starting the culling.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated close to the town of Edgewood, was first ordered in May to eradicate nearly 400 birds, due to concerns of an spread of bird flu.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the business.

Sixty-nine birds have already died after the emergence of a flu-like illness.

On Wednesday, Canada’s supreme court granted an temporary halt on the eradication directive as it considered whether to take up the matter.

Governmental and Societal Responses

The increasing controversy over the ostriches – and a simmering distrust of government – have inspired demonstrators to gather at the property, with many broadcasting their frustration on online platforms.

The situation has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was questioned repeatedly by journalists whether he backed the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making specific comments on the matter, even though many within his political group voicing opposition against the slaughter.

He told the press the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but didn’t say the word the bird’s name.

Cross-Border Involvement and Offers

Several high-profile individuals from the US have lobbied Canadian officials.

The American health chief proposed to move the birds to his ranch in Florida.

An American wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the authorities to reverse its eradication directive.

Health and Moral Arguments

The Canadian federal government said the food inspection agency was following a eradication policy in order to contain the spread of bird flu, a step in line with broader advice from global health organizations.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the agency to perform additional tests on the birds to verify they are infected.

The ranch operators claimed that because the most recent fatality occurred on January 15th, with the remaining birds seeming healthy or recovered, the group has acquired at least some level of immunity against the virus.

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

Ranch Representative Response

Recently, the ranch representative, informed the media that the authority was “murdering” healthy birds.

“They are ancient creatures that have endured millions of years, but they won’t endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she stated.

A partner expressed he was concerned that there is no fairness left”.

Judicial and Authority Findings

A national court, however, found that allowing the birds to remain alive could lead to the transmission of avian influenza to different species, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The authority has not said when it plans to start culling the birds.

Eradication Procedures

An older guideline document, obtained 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 one to inject the drug.

Personnel can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.

Members of the agency can only use firearms on the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site.

Recent Updates

As per reports, soon after the court ruling, inspection agents began setting up additional gear and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the bird enclosure.