The emu, a towering flightless bird native to Australia, is a true marvel of survival in the harsh outback. Standing up to 1.9 meters tall, emus are equipped with powerful legs that allow them to reach speeds of up to 50 km/h. This speed isn’t just for show—it’s a crucial survival tactic in the predator-filled Australian wilderness.

One of the most fascinating chapters in emu history is the “Great Emu War” of 1932. Australian farmers, struggling with emus destroying crops, requested military assistance. Armed soldiers with machine guns set out to cull the birds, but the emus proved surprisingly adept at dodging bullets. Their erratic running patterns and sheer resilience turned the event into a humorous yet humbling reminder of nature’s tenacity. Today, emus remain a symbol of the wild spirit of Australia, thriving in some of the most unforgiving environments on Earth.