The Emu War.

[Swampy]

I learn something new every day.

In the 1930's, the Australians tried to curtail the wild bird population, because the birds were wreaking havoc on the farmers' produce. The farmers then called for help from the government, who initially provided guns and ammo. When that didn't work, the government sent in troops (the 7th?), and, again, they couldn't wipe out the enemy.

I salute the birds for their victories. Here's the Wiki entry.

[Sir John]

Even today, Australia has quiet a few 'culling' operations in train.

The biggest is the kangaroo cull, which averages about 1.5 MILLION kangaroos a year, but peaked at 7 Million in the mid '70s I think it was. Since European settlement the kangaroo population has exploded as farming provides more grasslands, Dingos have been controlled, etc. 'Roo shooters' make a good living I believe.

The Asian Water Buffalo was virtually eradicated in a major helicopter borne program some years ago. No they did NOT use the M60, usually old .303s.

I was at a native fauna park some years ago, and enjoying a "pie and dead 'orse" washed down with a XXXX, when an Emu came up to the table. The small plastic peel off tomato sauce (ketchup) container looked tasty, so in a flash down the Emu's throat it went.

There is talk of culling the Camels, but no progress on that yet, the usual camel rooters are included in that cull.

SJ