In 1932, Australia faced an unexpected enemy: the emu. This large, flightless bird native to Australia had become a significant problem for farmers in the Campion district of Western Australia. Drawn by the promise of water and wheat crops, thousands of emus migrated into the region, causing extensive damage to farms.
The farmers, many of whom were ex-soldiers who had been given land after World War I, were struggling to establish their farms in the midst of the Great Depression. They appealed to the government for help, and in response, the Minister of Defence deployed soldiers armed with Lewis guns to deal with the emu problem.
Led by Major G.P.W. Meredith, the military operation began on 2 November 1932. The soldiers were confident that their superior firepower would quickly solve the issue. However, they soon discovered that emus were surprisingly resilient and difficult to hit. The birds could absorb several bullets before falling and often split into small groups, making them hard to target effectively.
The first attempt ended in failure, with only a small number of emus killed. Meredith then moved inland and set up an ambush near a dam. This strategy proved more successful, but still fell short of expectations. After about a month, with only around 1,000 of the estimated 20,000 emus killed, the operation was withdrawn.
Despite its limited success, a second attempt was made later that month, lasting about a week. In the end, the "war" was deemed a failure. Farmers requested ongoing military assistance, but it was denied. Instead, they were given ammunition to deal with the problem themselves.
The Great Emu War, as it came to be known, has since become a source of amusement and national embarrassment for Australia. It highlights the challenges of wildlife management and the sometimes unexpected consequences of human settlement on native species. Today, while emus are still considered agricultural pests in some areas, more sustainable methods of population control are used.
Vocabulary
Deployment – The action of bringing resources into effective action.
Synonyms: Mobilisation, Positioning
Example Sentences:
The military began the deployment of troops to the conflict zone.
The company's deployment of new software across all departments took several months.
Question: Have you ever been involved in the deployment of a new system or project at work or school?
Resilient – Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
Synonyms: Tough, Adaptable
Example Sentences:
Despite facing numerous setbacks, she proved to be a resilient entrepreneur.
Bamboo is known for being a resilient plant that can grow in various climates.
Question: Can you think of a time when you had to be resilient in the face of a challenge?
Ambush – A surprise attack by people lying in wait in a concealed position.
Synonyms: Trap, Sneak attack
Example Sentences:
The soldiers carefully planned an ambush to catch the enemy off guard.
In nature, many predators rely on ambush tactics to catch their prey.
Question: Have you ever felt ambushed by a tough question or unexpected conversation?
Extensive – Covering or affecting a large area; far-reaching.
Synonyms: Comprehensive, Wide-ranging
Example Sentences:
The scientist conducted extensive research before publishing her findings.
The extensive damage caused by the hurricane took years to repair.
Question: When might it be beneficial to conduct an extensive search or study of something?
Ongoing – Continuing to exist or develop; currently taking place.
Synonyms: Continuous, In progress
Example Sentences:
The company provides ongoing support to all its customers.
Climate change remains an ongoing concern for environmentalists worldwide.
Question: What are some ongoing projects or issues in your community that require long-term attention?
Grammar Focus
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Example Sentences:
The farmers had been struggling to establish their farms even before the emus arrived.
The emus had been migrating into the region for some time when the government decided to act.
Major Meredith had been leading the operation for a month when it was withdrawn.
Grammar Questions:
How long do you think the farmers had been requesting help before the military intervened?
What methods do you suppose the farmers had been using to protect their crops before the "war" began?
How long do you imagine the emus had been causing problems before the situation became critical?
Practice: Complete these sentences using the Past Perfect Continuous Tense:
The soldiers ________________ (try) to hit the emus for weeks before they realised how difficult it was.
The government ________________ (consider) various solutions before they decided to send in the military.
The emus ________________ (eat) the farmers' crops for months before the "war" started.
Discussion Questions
What do you think about using the military to solve wildlife problems?
Do you believe the response to the emu invasion was appropriate?
Could there be a better way to handle such large groups of wildlife near farms?
What does the Great Emu War tell us about human-animal conflicts?
How can technology help in managing and tracking wildlife populations?
How do different cultures view and handle conflicts with animals?
What’s your opinion on national parks and wildlife reserves in wildlife conservation?
Do you think wildlife documentaries influence our perception of animals?
What are the pros and cons of living close to nature reserves or national parks?
Have you ever had a personal experience with wildlife that changed your perspective?
What animal do you think would be the toughest opponent in a war?
What would happen if animals had their own version of the Olympics? Which events would be included?
Would you rather fight 50 rabbit-sized emus, or 1 emu-sized rabbit?