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The nation’s food inspection agency revealed it plans to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch following the supreme court refused to halt the disputed eradication.

Legal Obstacles Removed by Court Ruling

Thursday’s ruling eliminated any legal barrier to commencing the killings.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated close to the town of Edgewood, was initially directed in the month of May to cull almost four hundred birds, amid fears of an spread 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 issued an interim stay on the eradication directive as it considered whether to take up the matter.

Governmental and Public Responses

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

The case has also entered the nation’s political sphere.

Earlier this fall, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was questioned repeatedly by reporters whether he supported protesters.

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

International Interest and Offers

Several prominent figures from the US have petitioned authorities in Canada.

The US health secretary proposed to move the birds to his property in the Sunshine State.

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

Health and Moral Debates

The Canadian federal government said the relevant agency was following a eradication approach in order to limit the spread of bird flu, a step consistent with broader advice from global health organizations.

However, animal advocacy groups have urged the agency to conduct additional tests on the birds to confirm they are infected.

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

They have also expressed skepticism on the scope and reliability of the tests on the ostriches.

Ranch Spokesperson Reaction

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

“They are prehistoric animals that have survived eons, but they won’t endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said.

A partner said he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no justice left”.

Court and Authority Findings

A national court, however, found that allowing the ostriches to remain alive could result in the transmission of avian influenza to other animals, the poultry industry – or to humans.

The authority has not announced when it plans to begin slaughtering the birds.

Eradication Methods

An older guideline document, obtained under public access laws, says ostriches can be euthanized by different means, the recommended being injection, which needs three people: one to hold the bird by restraining it, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

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

Members of the organization can only use firearms on the birds “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on site.

Recent Updates

According to media sources, shortly after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up additional gear and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the rear of the bird enclosure.