Article 2: The Great Emu War of Australia

Introduction The Great Emu War sounds like a fictional tale, but it’s a real event from 1932
when Australia declared war on its native bird, the emu. This unusual military operation remains
a humorous yet poignant episode in Australian history.

The Problem Following World War I, Australian soldiers settled on farms in Western Australia.
However, these areas were invaded by around 20,000 emus migrating inland, causing significant
damage to crops.

The War Armed with machine guns, soldiers attempted to curb the emu population. Despite
their efforts, the emus proved remarkably resilient. The birds' speed and erratic movement made
them difficult targets, leading to a largely unsuccessful campaign.

Outcome and Legacy The Emu War was officially declared over after a few months, with the
emus emerging victorious. This event is often cited in discussions about the unexpected
challenges of wildlife management and remains a quirky part of Australian folklore.