Government Pushes On with Full Eradication Strategy to Slaughter 400 Ostriches

Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a farm after the country’s top court declined to halt the contentious slaughter.

Judicial Obstacles Removed by Court Ruling

On Thursday eliminated all judicial obstacle to commencing the culling.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated near the town of Edgewood, was initially directed in the month of May to eradicate nearly 400 birds, amid concerns of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Recently, officials seized control 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 cull order as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Governmental and Societal Responses

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

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

In early October, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was asked repeatedly by journalists whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has avoided making direct statements on the issue, even though many within his party protesting against the cull.

He told the press the issue had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.

Cross-Border Interest and Offers

Several prominent figures from the US have lobbied Canadian officials.

The US health secretary offered to relocate the birds to his ranch in Florida.

An US wealthy businessman has also pleaded with the authorities to reverse its cull order.

Health and Ethical Debates

The Canadian federal government said the relevant agency was following a eradication policy in order to limit the transmission of avian flu, a move in line with wider advice from international health bodies.

However, animal advocacy groups have called on the agency to perform further testing on the birds to verify they are infected.

The farm owners claimed that because the last bird flu death happened on January 15th, with the surviving majority appearing healthy or recovered, the group has acquired at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.

They have also cast doubt on the extent and effectiveness of testing on the birds.

Ranch Representative Reaction

Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the press that the authority was killing birds in good health.

“They are prehistoric animals that have endured millions of years, but they will not endure the government agency,” she said.

A partner said he was concerned that there is no justice left”.

Court and Agency Decisions

A national 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 humans.

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

Eradication Procedures

An older guideline document, acquired under freedom of information laws, states the birds can be killed by various methods, the recommended being lethal injection, which requires three people: one to hold the bird by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and a third to administer the injection.

Staff can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.

Employees of the organization can only shoot the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on site.

Recent Developments

According to reports, soon after the court ruling, agency workers began setting up additional gear and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the ostrich pen.