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The nation’s food safety authority revealed it plans to start a total removal of hundreds of these large birds at a farm after the country’s top court declined to stop the controversial cull.

Legal Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday removed any judicial obstacle to starting the culling.

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

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the business.

Sixty-nine ostriches have already died after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.

On Wednesday, the nation’s top court issued an interim stay on the cull order as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Political and Public Responses

The growing row over the birds – and a lingering distrust of government – have inspired protesters to gather at the property, with many expressing their frustration on online platforms.

The case has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

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

The Tory leader has steered clear of making specific comments on the issue, despite many within his party protesting against the cull.

He informed reporters the issue had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name.

International Interest and Proposals

A number of prominent figures from the United States have petitioned authorities in Canada.

The American health chief offered to relocate the ostriches to his property in the Sunshine State.

An US billionaire has also appealed with the authorities to rescind its eradication directive.

Health and Ethical Arguments

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

However, animal advocacy groups have called on the agency to perform additional tests on the animals to verify they are infected.

The farm owners claimed that because the most recent fatality occurred on January 15th, with the surviving majority seeming healthy or healed, the flock has developed at least some level of immunity against the virus.

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

Ranch Spokesperson Response

Recently, the ranch representative, informed the media that the agency was killing birds in good health.

“They are ancient creatures that have endured millions of years, but they won’t survive the government agency,” she said.

A co-owner expressed he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no justice left”.

Judicial and Authority Findings

A national court, however, determined that permitting the ostriches to remain alive could result in the transmission of avian influenza to other animals, the livestock sector – or to humans.

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

Eradication Methods

An older guideline document, obtained under freedom of information laws, says ostriches can be euthanized by different means, the preferred being injection, which needs multiple individuals: one to hold the ostrich by restraining it, another to secure the head, and a third to administer the injection.

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

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

Recent Updates

As per media sources, shortly after the court ruling, agency workers began setting up more equipment and flood lighting around a large hay-bale enclosure near the rear of the ostrich pen.