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Canada’s food safety authority revealed it plans to start a total removal of numerous ostriches at a ranch after the supreme court refused to halt the disputed cull.

Judicial Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

Thursday’s ruling removed any judicial obstacle to starting the slaughter.

The ostrich farm, located close to the community of Edgewood, was initially directed in May to cull close to 400 ostriches, amid concerns of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Recently, authorities took over of the business.

Sixty-nine birds have already died after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.

On Wednesday, Canada’s supreme court granted an temporary halt on the cull order as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Governmental and Public Reactions

The increasing controversy over the birds – and a lingering post-pandemic skepticism – have motivated demonstrators to descend on the farm, with many expressing their anger on social media.

The situation has also penetrated Canada’s federal politics.

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

The Tory leader has avoided making specific comments on the issue, even though many within his party voicing opposition against the cull.

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

Cross-Border Involvement and Proposals

A number of prominent individuals from the US have petitioned authorities in Canada.

The US health secretary offered to move the ostriches to his property in the Sunshine State.

An US billionaire has also appealed with the Canadian government to reverse its cull order.

Scientific and Ethical Debates

The national authorities stated the relevant agency was following a eradication policy in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a step consistent with broader guidance from international health bodies.

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

The ranch operators said that because the last bird flu death occurred on January 15th, with the remaining birds seeming in good condition or recovered, the flock has acquired at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.

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

Farm Representative Reaction

On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, told the media that the agency was killing healthy birds.

“These are ancient creatures that have survived millions of years, but they won’t survive the government agency,” she stated.

A co-owner expressed he was “afraid that there is no justice left”.

Court and Agency Findings

A federal court, however, found that allowing the ostriches to remain alive could result in the transmission of avian influenza to different species, the poultry industry – or to people.

The authority has not announced at what time it plans to begin culling the ostriches.

Culling Methods

An older guideline document, acquired under public access laws, says the birds can be euthanized by different means, the recommended being injection, which requires three people: one person to restrain the ostrich by restraining it, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

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

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

Recent Updates

As per reports, soon after the court ruling, agency workers started installing additional gear and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the ostrich pen.