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Canada’s food inspection agency revealed it plans to begin a “complete depopulation” of hundreds of ostriches at a ranch following the supreme court declined to block the disputed cull.

Judicial Obstacles Removed by Court Ruling

On Thursday removed all legal impediment to beginning the slaughter.

The ostrich farm, situated close to the community of Edgewood, was first ordered in the month of May to cull close to 400 ostriches, amid concerns of an spread of H5N1 avian flu.

Just days ago, officials seized control of the operation.

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

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

Political and Public Responses

The increasing controversy over the ostriches – and a simmering distrust of government – have inspired protesters to gather at the farm, with many expressing their frustration on online platforms.

The case has also penetrated Canada’s federal politics.

In early October, the Conservative leader, Pierre Poilievre, was asked twice by reporters whether he supported the demonstrators.

The Tory leader has avoided making direct statements on the issue, even though many within his party protesting against the slaughter.

He informed the press the issue had been poorly handled from the start but avoided mentioning the word the bird’s name.

Cross-Border Involvement and Offers

A number of high-profile figures from the United States have petitioned authorities in Canada.

The American health chief proposed to move the ostriches to his property in Florida.

An US billionaire has also pleaded with the authorities to reverse its cull order.

Scientific and Moral Debates

The national authorities said the food inspection agency was following a “stamping out” policy in order to contain the transmission of avian flu, a move in line with wider guidance from international health bodies.

However, animal rights organizations have called on the authority to conduct further testing on the birds to confirm they are infected.

The ranch operators claimed that because the last bird flu death happened on January 15th, with the surviving majority seeming in good condition or recovered, the group has developed at least partial herd immunity against H5N1.

They have also cast doubt on the scope and effectiveness of the tests on the ostriches.

Farm Representative Response

On Thursday, the ranch representative, told the press that the authority was killing birds in good health.

“These are ancient creatures that have survived eons, but they won’t endure the government agency,” she said.

A partner said he was concerned that there is no justice left”.

Judicial and Authority Decisions

A federal court, however, determined that allowing the ostriches to stay alive could lead to the spread of avian influenza to other animals, the poultry industry – or to people.

The authority has not announced when it expects to begin slaughtering the ostriches.

Eradication Procedures

A 2016 agency manual, acquired under freedom of information laws, says the birds can be killed by different means, the preferred 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.

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

Employees of the organization can only shoot the ostriches in extreme circumstances, if they have a “skilled marksman” on site.

Recent Updates

According to media sources, shortly after the judicial decision, inspection agents started installing additional gear and bright lights around a makeshift pen near the back of the ostrich pen.