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The nation’s food inspection agency has announced it plans to start a total removal of hundreds of ostriches at a farm following the highest judicial body refused to halt the disputed slaughter.

Judicial Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

Thursday’s ruling eliminated all legal impediment to starting the culling.

Universal Ostrich Farms, located close to the town of Edgewood, was first ordered in the month of May to eradicate almost four hundred birds, due to fears of an outbreak of bird flu.

Earlier this week, authorities took over of the business.

Nearly seventy birds have already died after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.

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

Political and Public Responses

The increasing controversy over the birds – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated protesters to descend on the farm, with many broadcasting their frustration on online platforms.

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

In early October, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned repeatedly by reporters whether he supported protesters.

The Tory leader has avoided making direct statements on the matter, even though many within his political group voicing opposition against the slaughter.

He informed the press the situation had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word “ostrich”.

Cross-Border Involvement and Offers

Several high-profile figures from the US have petitioned Canadian officials.

The US health secretary offered to relocate the ostriches to his property in Florida.

An American wealthy businessman has also appealed with the authorities to reverse its cull order.

Scientific and Moral Debates

The national authorities said the food inspection agency was adhering to a eradication policy in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a step in line with broader advice from global health organizations.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the authority to conduct further testing on the animals to verify they are carrying the virus.

The ranch operators said that because the last bird flu death happened on January 15th, with the remaining birds seeming healthy or recovered, the group has acquired at least partial herd immunity against the virus.

They have also expressed skepticism on the scope and reliability of testing on the birds.

Farm Spokesperson Response

On Thursday, the ranch representative, informed the press that the authority was “murdering” birds in good health.

“These are prehistoric animals that have endured millions of years, but they won’t endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

A co-owner expressed he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.

Court and Authority Findings

A federal court, however, found that allowing the ostriches to remain alive could result in the transmission of bird flu to other animals, the poultry industry – or to people.

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

Culling Procedures

An older guideline document, obtained under freedom of information laws, states ostriches can be killed by various methods, the preferred being lethal injection, which needs three people: one person to restrain the ostrich by sitting on its back, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection.

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

Members of the organization can only use firearms on the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site.

Latest Updates

As per reports, soon after the judicial decision, agency workers began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the rear of the bird enclosure.