The last four occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon have surrendered, the FBI confirms.

The militia took over the refuge on January 2, protesting against government “interference” in the lives of ranchers in the western US.

The development comes hours after the FBI surrounded the group at the site.

In late January, one protester was shot dead when the FBI and police arrested the leaders of the occupation.

Just before 10:00 local time on February 11, three of the remaining four militia, Sandy Anderson, 47 of Riggins, Idaho; her husband Sean Anderson, 48 and Jeff Banta, 46 from Yerington, Nevada surrendered and walked into the custody of the FBI.

David Fry, 27, who remained holed-up, said he was feeling “suicidal”.

“Liberty or death,” he said.

David Fry added: “I declare war against the federal government because they have been trampling on my first amendment rights.”

On a live broadcast streamed on the internet, David Fry described how the others had walked out with hands in the air, holding an American flag.

An hour later, to cries of “hallelujah”, David Fry could be heard saying: “I’m walking towards them right now,” as he too surrendered to the FBI.

The four had spent their last night at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, camping in the grounds around 30 miles south of the city of Burns on the snowy desert plains of Harney County in north-eastern Oregon.

The attempt to resolve the stand-off was brokered by a Republican member of Nevada’s state assembly, Michele Fiore, who travelled to the bird reserve to witness the surrender along with a preacher, Franklin Graham.

In the final moments of the siege, activists KrisAnne Hall and Gavin Seim pleaded with David Fry to give himself up.

David Fry’s arrest brings the 41-day occupation of the federal complex to an end.

The FBI said in a statement that “no one was injured, and no shots were fired” during the arrests on February 11.