Authorities Proceeds with Full Eradication Strategy to Cull 400 Ostriches
Canada’s food safety authority stated it aims to initiate a “complete depopulation” of numerous ostriches at a ranch after the highest judicial body refused to block the contentious cull.
Judicial Impediments Removed by Court Ruling
On Thursday removed any legal impediment to commencing the culling.
Universal Ostrich Farms, located near the community of Edgewood, British Columbia, was initially directed in the month of May to eradicate close to 400 ostriches, amid concerns of an spread of bird flu.
Just days ago, officials seized control of the business.
Sixty-nine ostriches have previously perished after the outbreak of a flu-like illness.
Midweek, the nation’s top court granted an temporary halt on the cull order as it weighed whether to hear the case.
Political and Societal Reactions
The increasing controversy over the birds – and a simmering distrust of government – have inspired protesters to gather at 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 asked repeatedly by reporters whether he backed protesters.
The Tory leader has steered clear of making specific comments on the matter, even though many within his political group protesting against the slaughter.
He informed reporters the issue had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word “ostrich”.
Cross-Border Interest and Proposals
Several high-profile individuals from the United States have petitioned authorities in Canada.
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.
Health and Moral Debates
The Canadian federal government said the relevant agency was adhering to a eradication approach in order to limit the spread of bird 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 birds to verify they are carrying the virus.
The farm owners claimed that because the last bird flu death happened on January 15th, with the surviving majority seeming in good condition or healed, the group has developed at least partial herd immunity against the virus.
They have also expressed skepticism on the extent and reliability of testing on the birds.
Ranch Spokesperson Reaction
On Thursday, the ranch representative, told the media that the agency was “murdering” birds in good health.
“These are prehistoric animals that have endured millions of years, but they won’t survive the government agency,” she stated.
A partner expressed he was concerned there’s – in my opinion – there’s no fairness left”.
Court and Agency Findings
A federal court, however, determined that allowing the birds to remain alive could result in the spread of avian influenza to other animals, the livestock sector – or to humans.
The agency has not announced at what time it expects to begin slaughtering the birds.
Eradication Methods
An older agency manual, acquired under public access laws, states the birds can be euthanized by various methods, the preferred being injection, which requires three people: one to hold the ostrich by sitting on its back, one to hold the head, and one to inject the drug.
Personnel can also use gas chambers or neck dislocation.
Members of the organization can only shoot the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a trained shooter on site.
Latest Updates
As per reports, shortly after the court ruling, inspection agents started installing additional gear and bright lights around a large hay-bale enclosure near the back of the bird enclosure.
