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The nation’s food safety authority has announced it aims to start a “complete depopulation” of numerous ostriches at a farm following the country’s top court declined to block the controversial slaughter.

Legal Impediments Removed by Supreme Court Decision

Thursday’s ruling removed any judicial obstacle to beginning the killings.

The ostrich farm, situated close to the town of Edgewood, was first ordered in May to cull close to 400 ostriches, due to fears of an outbreak of avian influenza.

Earlier this week, officials seized control of the business.

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

On Wednesday, the nation’s top court granted an temporary halt on the cull order as it weighed whether to take up the matter.

Governmental and Public Reactions

The growing row over the ostriches – and a simmering post-pandemic skepticism – have inspired protesters to descend on the farm, with many expressing their frustration on social media.

The case has also entered Canada’s federal politics.

Earlier this fall, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, was questioned repeatedly by reporters whether he backed protesters.

The Tory leader has steered clear of making specific comments on the issue, even though many within his political group voicing opposition against the slaughter.

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

Cross-Border Involvement and Offers

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

The American health chief offered to relocate the birds to his ranch in the Sunshine State.

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

Health and Ethical Debates

The Canadian federal government stated the relevant agency was following a eradication policy in order to contain the transmission of bird flu, a move consistent with broader advice from global health organizations.

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

The farm owners claimed that because the most recent fatality occurred 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 cast doubt on the extent and reliability of testing on the ostriches.

Farm Spokesperson Response

On Thursday, the farm’s spokesperson, told 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 co-owner said he was “afraid there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.

Judicial and Authority Findings

A national court, however, found that allowing the birds to stay alive could lead to the spread of bird flu to different species, the poultry industry – or to people.

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

Eradication Methods

A 2016 agency manual, obtained under public access laws, states ostriches can be euthanized by various methods, the recommended being lethal injection, which requires three people: one person to restrain the bird by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.

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

Employees of the organization can only use firearms on the birds in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on the premises.

Recent Developments

According to reports, shortly after the court ruling, agency workers began setting up additional gear and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the back of the ostrich pen.