The move brings to an end a nearly year-long legal saga that attracted attention from conservatives in the United States, including US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

The birds, exposed to the avian flu, were killed after Canada’s Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal and a rescue effort by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. fell short.

The farm's loudest advocate south of the border is New York City billionaire and Republican megadonor John Catsimatidis, a self-described animal lover who on Thursday called for a "thorough investigation" into the saga. He suggested that the US Department of Justice should take up the probe if Canada refuses.

Canada’s Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal on the proposed culling of a British Columbia ostrich herd, in a case that has attracted the attention of US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his “Make America Healthy Again” movement.

In his battle for Canadian citizenship, Alexander Vavilov got an opportunity denied to the owners of B.C.'s Universal Ostrich Farms — a chance to argue his case before Canada's top court. In the process,

Canada's top court has refused to hear an appeal to stop the controversial cull of hundreds of ostriches at a farm in British Columbia, leaving the farmers with few legal options to prevent it.