🔗 Share this article Government Pushes On with Full Eradication Strategy to Slaughter 400 Ostriches The nation’s food inspection agency stated it intends to initiate a total removal of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch after the highest judicial body refused to halt the controversial eradication. Judicial Impediments Cleared by Supreme Court Decision Thursday’s ruling removed any judicial obstacle to starting the culling. The ostrich farm, located close to the town of Edgewood, British Columbia, was first ordered in May to eradicate almost four hundred birds, due to fears of an outbreak of avian influenza. Earlier this week, authorities took over of the operation. Sixty-nine ostriches have previously perished after the emergence of a influenza-like sickness. Midweek, the nation’s top court issued an temporary halt on the cull order as it considered whether to take up the matter. Governmental and Public Reactions The growing row over the birds – and a simmering distrust of government – have inspired demonstrators to descend on the property, with many expressing their frustration on social media. The situation has also entered Canada’s federal politics. Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, the Tory leader, was asked twice by reporters whether he backed protesters. The Conservative figure has avoided making direct statements on the issue, even though many within his political group protesting against the slaughter. He told the press the issue had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word “ostrich”. Cross-Border Involvement and Proposals Several prominent individuals from the US have petitioned Canadian officials. The American health chief proposed to relocate the ostriches to his property in Florida. An US billionaire has also pleaded with the Canadian government to rescind its eradication directive. Scientific and Ethical Debates The national authorities stated the food inspection agency was adhering to a eradication approach in order to limit the spread of avian flu, a step in line with broader guidance from global health organizations. However, animal rights organizations have urged the agency to perform further testing on the animals to verify they are infected. The ranch operators claimed that because the last bird flu death happened on January 15th, with the surviving majority appearing healthy or healed, the flock has developed at least some level of immunity against H5N1. They have also expressed skepticism on the scope and reliability of testing on the ostriches. Farm Representative Response Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the press that the agency was killing healthy birds. “These are prehistoric animals that have endured eons, but they will not endure the Canadian Food Inspection Agency,” she said. A co-owner said he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”. Court and Agency Decisions A federal court, on the other hand, determined that allowing the ostriches to remain alive could lead to the transmission of bird flu to other animals, the poultry industry – or to people. The authority has not said at what time it plans to start slaughtering the ostriches. Culling Methods An older agency manual, acquired under freedom of information laws, states the birds can be euthanized by different means, the recommended being lethal injection, which needs three people: one to hold the bird by restraining it, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug. Staff can also use gas chambers or break the birds’ necks. Members of the organization can only shoot the ostriches “as a last resort”, if they have a trained shooter on site. Latest Updates As per reports, shortly after the judicial decision, inspection agents began setting up additional gear and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the back of the bird enclosure.