The Great Emu War: how it started and who won | ABC Australia

It's a topic that has captured the hearts and minds of internet users all over the globe: How did the Australian Army lose a war to a bunch of flightless birds?

But the Great Emu War, spanning just over a month in 1932, was serious business.

Here, we take a look at exactly how it started and who was victorious.

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[veggiesarefruits]

I was in Idaho looking for work, and my neighbor at the motel told me about this. I was in actual tears about how hilarious this was! I can't believe this actually happened! 😂

[damoinau]

A ceasefire was called. 😆 Makes it sound like the Emu's were shooting back.

[Shamy_Cartoons]

Closest thing to Jurassic Park weve ever gotten in human history

[JamesBradley]

I’m still in utter shock. I saw this on Facebook and thought it was a joke. Then went to Wikipedia and saw it and now seeing this. It’s even more hilarious 😂😂

[Rdg]

How did Emus achieved total victory?
Using the same tactics the allies used against Napoleon - "When they approach, we run away"

[Elltronotube]

I'm always amazed by the sheer number of emus in Australia. It's like they're emu-merous!

[FoxofMaysville]

We in the USA know in our hearts that one day the Emu will try to take over the world. We must all be ready for that day to come!

[jbvader]

Australia: "I'm losing to a bird!"

[abdirahmaanmohamed]

The Emus has the right to defend themselves We Stand with Emus

[areasevenpro]

"My national bird is the Emu, and it's a pest. Also bloody delicious."

[DrAnarchy]

Be ungovernable. Be unkillable. Be like the Emu!

[mr.pakers]

i heard this story when i was a child i thought its only a joke etc, but when internet and YT comes ive seen some docu and im amaze it was real

[Atsupiyi]

I just realized, the whole time Tik Tok star "Emmanuel the Emu" has been staring into the lens and calling out humans for the next battle and we had no idea.

[alibenkahn]

Much of that land shouldn't have been cleared in the first place. Now there's not much of that habitat left in south west WA which is a serious environmental problem. Up the emus!

[foxibot]

Can you imagine if they figured out how to use high tech on emus and fitted them for armored body suits, lol. We could just send emus to fight in the military. I watch useless farms and that emu on there has murder on her mind daily, and is out to get her sweet caregiver. But she does appreciate an occasional hat. Everyone likes to feel pretty. lol. She calmed down one day when her caregiver put a hat on her. Her beau is constantly in hats and doesn’t have her mean temperament.

[donjohn]

It was always gonna happen when you initiate a flightless birds fight or flight instinct.

[rickthelian]

I never knew this story thank you for showing us.

[RifqiMainGitar]

The emus: "I see that you're putting me in a fight-or-flight situation. Too bad for you, I'm a flightless bird."

[sebion]

oversimplified has an excellent video on the emu war!

[cdmarshall]

Guess making a fence was too hard to do?