Few world events are as simultaneously hilarious and thought-provoking as Australia’s Great Emu War of 1932. True to its name, this extraordinary conflict saw armed soldiers pitted against emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae), large flightless birds native to the Australian outback.
The result? A decisive victory—not for the Australians, but for the emus. With their gangly legs, long necks and keen instincts, they proved to be more formidable opponents than anyone anticipated. A war that began with a strategic approach involving machine guns ended with these birds outsmarting their pursuers.
While this event has become a source of amusement over time, the circumstances leading to the war and the reasons for its failure highlight the remarkable biology and resilience of these birds and offer insight into human-wildlife conflict. It’s also a reminder that Australians have a history of battling wildlife in unconventional ways.
Who Fired The First Shots In The Great Emu War of 1932?
Following World War I, the government incentivized wheat farming, granting land to returned soldiers to support their reintegration. By the early 1930s, however, approximately 20,000 emus migrated to Western Australia’s wheat belt during their annual breeding season.
These incursions devastated crops, while plummeting wheat prices during the Great Depression compounded the struggles of the soldier settlers and other farmers.
Because their breeding season had coincided with the post-harvest season when crops were particularly vulnerable, the emus, searching for food and water, wreaked havoc on the farms.
A single emu can consume several kilograms of crops per day, and with tens of thousands of them descending upon the fields, the losses were catastrophic for struggling farmers.
Seeking help, farmers turned to the government for a solution, which deployed soldiers armed with machine guns. The mission was simple: cull the emus and protect the wheat. However, simplicity in planning does not guarantee success in execution.
Why The Emu War Was A Military Operation Turned Exercise In Frustration
The initial operation commenced in November 1932, with Major G.P.W. Meredith leading the charge. Armed with Lewis guns and accompanied by local farmers (many of whom were ex-soldiers themselves), they sought to ambush the emus. Yet, what seemed like an easy target quickly turned into an exercise in frustration.
The emus demonstrated remarkable group dynamics and evasion tactics. They would scatter upon sensing danger, making it nearly impossible to target more than one or two at a time.
They were also fast. Their running speed (up to a blazing 31 mph) and zigzag running patterns rendered machine gun fire ineffective. One humbled soldier reportedly remarked that the birds seemed to possess “military tactics of their own.”
After a week of skirmishes, with over 2,500 rounds fired and only a handful of emus killed, the operation was deemed a failure. A second operation followed later that month, but results remained dismal as these flightless birds continued to elude capture and culling.
By December, the government withdrew military forces and conceded defeat. The war officially ended with the emus’ survival unchallenged and farmers still grappling with their crop losses.
What Makes Emus ‘Immune’ To Gunfire?
One of the largest birds on Earth, second only to the ostrich, Dromaius novaehollandiae is native to Australia and well-adapted to surviving in the harsh outback environment.
Emus have strong legs that enable them to reach high speeds and allow them to traverse long distances in search of food and water. They are opportunistic feeders, consuming a variety of plants, seeds and insects. Their robust digestive systems allow them to thrive on sparse and nutritionally variable diets.
During breeding seasons, emus travel in large groups, which likely contributed to their ability to evade human intervention during the war. Social structures and group dynamics further enhance their survival, as individuals can act as sentinels, warning others of danger.
Moreover, their feathers provide insulation and camouflage, blending seamlessly with the Australian scrubland. Combined with acute eyesight and hearing that allowed them to scatter immediately upon detecting approaching threats from far away, they were very difficult for the military to surprise, capture or shoot.
What Was The Result Of The Great Emu War Of 1932?
The Great Emu War’s comedic reputation hides serious issues about human-wildlife conflict. The farmers’ struggle was emblematic of broader challenges in managing invasive or overabundant species, particularly in agricultural settings.
Modern wildlife management strategies emphasize coexistence and sustainable practices over militaristic solutions. And interestingly, the emus’ resilience in the war earned them a place of respect in Australian culture.
That’s not to say Dromaius novaehollandiae was an unknown entity before the war. They are, in fact, featured on the country’s coat of arms alongside kangaroos and are unofficially considered the national bird of Australia.
The very traits that led to their “victory” in 1932—adaptability, persistence and resourcefulness—make them an enduring icon of Australia’s unique biodiversity.
Does reading about human-wildlife conflict make you feel concerned about the impact we are having on Mother Nature? Take this test to find out if you are one with the Earth: Connectedness to Nature Scale
