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Canada’s food inspection agency stated it aims to initiate a total removal of numerous ostriches at a ranch after the supreme court refused to block the controversial cull.

Legal Obstacles Cleared by Court Ruling

On Thursday eliminated all judicial obstacle to starting the slaughter.

Universal Ostrich Farms, situated near the town of Edgewood, was initially directed in the month of May to eradicate nearly 400 birds, due to concerns of an spread of bird flu.

Earlier this week, authorities took over 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 temporary halt on the cull order as it weighed whether to hear the case.

Political and Societal Responses

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

The case has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

In early October, the opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned twice by journalists whether he backed the demonstrators.

The Conservative figure has avoided making direct statements on the matter, despite many within his political group protesting against the slaughter.

He informed the press the situation had been “mismanaged from the very beginning” but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.

International Interest and Offers

Several prominent individuals from the US have lobbied Canadian officials.

The US health secretary proposed to move the ostriches to his ranch in Florida.

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

Scientific and Moral Debates

The Canadian federal government said the relevant agency was following a “stamping out” approach in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a step in line with broader advice from international health bodies.

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

The farm owners said that because the last bird flu death occurred on January 15th, with the remaining birds appearing in good condition or recovered, the group has developed at least some level of immunity against the virus.

They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and reliability of the tests on the birds.

Ranch Spokesperson Response

Recently, the farm’s spokesperson, informed the media that the authority was “murdering” birds in good health.

“These are ancient creatures that have survived millions of years, but they will not endure the government agency,” she said.

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

Judicial and Agency Decisions

A federal court, however, found that allowing the birds to remain alive could result in the spread of bird flu to different species, the livestock sector – or to humans.

The agency has not announced at what time it expects to begin culling the birds.

Eradication Methods

An older agency manual, obtained under freedom of information laws, states the birds can be euthanized by various methods, the preferred being injection, which needs three people: one person to restrain the ostrich by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

Staff can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.

Members of the agency can only use firearms on the ostriches “as a last resort”, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site.

Latest Developments

As per reports, soon after the court ruling, inspection agents started installing more equipment and flood lighting around a makeshift pen near the rear of the bird enclosure.