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Canada’s food inspection agency stated it intends to initiate a total removal of hundreds of ostriches at a farm following the supreme court refused to halt the contentious cull.

Legal Obstacles Cleared by Supreme Court Decision

On Thursday eliminated any legal barrier to starting the killings.

The ostrich farm, situated near the town of Edgewood, was first ordered in May to eradicate nearly 400 birds, amid fears of an outbreak of H5N1 avian flu.

Just days ago, authorities took over of the business.

Sixty-nine birds have previously perished after the outbreak of a influenza-like sickness.

Midweek, the nation’s top court granted an interim stay on the eradication directive as it considered whether to take up the matter.

Political and Public Reactions

The increasing controversy over the birds – and a lingering distrust of government – have inspired protesters to descend on the farm, with many expressing their anger on social media.

The case has also penetrated Canada’s federal politics.

In early October, the opposition leader, the Tory leader, was questioned twice by journalists whether he supported protesters.

The Tory leader has avoided making specific comments on the issue, despite many within his political group protesting against the cull.

He told reporters the situation had been poorly handled from the start but didn’t say the word the bird’s name.

International Involvement and Proposals

A number of prominent figures from the US have petitioned Canadian officials.

The US health secretary proposed to relocate the birds to his property in the Sunshine State.

An US wealthy businessman has also appealed with the Canadian government to rescind its eradication directive.

Scientific and Moral Debates

The national authorities stated the food inspection agency was following a “stamping out” approach in order to limit the transmission of avian flu, a step in line with broader guidance from global health organizations.

However, animal advocacy groups have called on the agency to perform additional tests on the birds to confirm they are infected.

The ranch operators claimed that because the most recent fatality happened on January 15th, with the surviving majority appearing in good condition or healed, the flock has acquired at least some level of immunity against the virus.

They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and reliability of testing on the ostriches.

Ranch Representative Response

Recently, the ranch representative, informed the press that the authority was killing birds in good health.

“They are ancient creatures that have survived eons, but they will not endure the government agency,” she stated.

A co-owner said he was concerned that there is no fairness left”.

Court and Authority Findings

A national court, however, found that allowing the ostriches to stay alive could result in the transmission of avian influenza to other animals, the poultry industry – or to humans.

The agency has not said at what time it expects to start slaughtering the birds.

Eradication Methods

An older agency manual, obtained under freedom of information laws, says ostriches can be euthanized by different means, the preferred being lethal injection, which needs three people: one person to restrain the ostrich by sitting on its back, another to secure the head, and one to inject the drug.

Personnel can also use gas chambers or break the birds’ necks.

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

Latest Updates

According to media sources, soon after the judicial decision, agency workers started installing more equipment and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the bird enclosure.