Wars Started by Animals
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Wars Started by Animals — Daily trivia Thursday, May 21, 2026: questions and answers
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Q 01Which country waged the 1932 'Emu War' against crop-damaging birds?
- ASouth Africa
- BArgentina
- CAustralia
- DNew Zealand
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Australia
The Emu War was a unique military operation undertaken by Australia in 1932 to address public concern over emus destroying wheat crops in Western Australia.
Q 02What was the primary objective of the Australian military's deployment during the 1932 Emu War?
- ATo establish new farming settlements
- BTo reduce the emu population damaging crops
- CTo capture emus for scientific study
- DTo train soldiers in desert warfare
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To reduce the emu population damaging crops
The main objective of the Emu War was to reduce the local emu population in Western Australia to mitigate crop loss for farmers.
Q 03Which US state has repeatedly battled infestations of the invasive Giant African Land Snail?
- AFlorida
- BTexas
- CLouisiana
- DCalifornia
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Florida
Florida has been reinfested repeatedly: giant African land snails were reported in Miami in 1966 and again in 2011, each outbreak taking nearly a decade to eradicate, with further introductions in 2022 and 2023 placed under quarantine.
Q 04What was the widely perceived outcome of the 1932 'Emu War' from the perspective of the military's objective?
- AThe emus were considered the 'victors'
- BA stalemate with no clear victor
- CA complete eradication of the emu population
- DA decisive victory for the military
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The emus were considered the 'victors'
Despite the military's efforts, the operation was largely unsuccessful in curbing the emu population, leading to the popular perception that the emus had 'won' the war.
Q 05In which region of Western Australia did most of the 1932 'Emu War' operations take place?
- ACampion District
- BKimberley Region
- CPilbara Region
- DPerth Metropolitan Area
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Campion District
The Emu War primarily occurred in the Campion district within the Wheatbelt of Western Australia, where emus were destroying crops planted by soldier-settlers.
Q 06About how many European rabbits did Thomas Austin release in Australia in 1859?
- A5
- B500
- C100
- D24
Show answer
24
Thomas Austin released a small batch of rabbits at Barwon Park near Winchelsea, Victoria, in October 1859 - the shipment is usually put at about two dozen animals. A 2022 genetic study found that a single introduction of wild rabbits triggered the whole Australian invasion.
Q 07Which European country approved sending 177 soldiers to shoot wild boar in 2024 to protect its pork industry?
- AFrance
- BItaly
- CPoland
- DGermany
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Italy
Italy's cabinet approved the deployment of 177 soldiers in May 2024, aiming to cut the wild boar population by up to 80% over five years so the animals could not spread swine fever to domestic pigs. The sector is worth about 8.2 billion euros a year and employs roughly 50,000 people.
Q 08Which firearm did Australian soldiers mainly use in the 1932 'Emu War'?
- ALee-Enfield rifles
- BLewis guns
- COwen submachine guns
- DVickers machine guns
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Lewis guns
The Royal Australian Artillery detachment was issued two Lewis guns and 10,000 rounds of ammunition to cull the emus.
Q 09What health risk does the Giant African Land Snail pose to humans as a parasite carrier?
- ALyme disease
- BMalaria
- CRat lungworm, causing meningitis
- DYellow fever
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Rat lungworm, causing meningitis
The snail can carry Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the rat lungworm, a nematode that causes eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in people. Eating raw or undercooked snails is the usual route, but even handling live wild snails can transmit it.
Q 10Who was the commanding officer of the Royal Australian Artillery unit deployed during the 1932 'Emu War'?
- AGeneral Sir Harry Chauvel
- BCaptain Charles Kingsford Smith
- CColonel John Monash
- DMajor Gwynydd Purves Wynne-Aubrey Meredith
Show answer
Major Gwynydd Purves Wynne-Aubrey Meredith
Major G.P.W. Meredith of the Royal Australian Artillery was in command of the military operation during the Emu War.
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