Was ist rabbit-proof fence?

The Rabbit-Proof Fence refers to a fence that was built in Western Australia in the early 1900s to keep rabbits away from agricultural lands, particularly in the state's arid regions. Rabbits had become a major pest in Australia after their introduction by European settlers, and their rapid reproduction and destruction of crops threatened the livelihoods of many farmers.

The fence, also known as the State Barrier Fence, stretches over 1,800 kilometers (1,100 miles) from the south coast of Western Australia to the cliffs of the Nullarbor Plain in the east. It was constructed using various materials like wire mesh, fence posts, and wooden planks to create a barrier that rabbits could not easily cross. The fence was continuously maintained and extended over the years to prevent rabbit infestations.

The significance of the Rabbit-Proof Fence goes beyond its intended purpose. In 2002, a film called "Rabbit-Proof Fence" directed by Phillip Noyce was released, which tells the true story of three young Indigenous girls who ran away from a government-run institution located along the fence in 1931. The girls, Molly, Daisy, and Gracie, walked for over 1,600 kilometers (1,000 miles) along the fence, in an attempt to return to their families and traditional way of life.

Their journey, known as the "long walk home," became a symbol of the resilience and determination of Indigenous people in the face of unjust government policies. The film shed light on the Stolen Generations, a period when Australian governments forcibly removed Indigenous children from their families and placed them in institutions or with white foster families. The Rabbit-Proof Fence highlighted the human cost of these policies and sparked discussions about reconciliation and indigenous rights in Australia.

Today, the Rabbit-Proof Fence is not just a physical barrier, but also a reminder of the country's history and ongoing challenges faced by Indigenous Australians. It serves as a symbol of the strength and resilience of these communities and their fight for recognition, equality, and self-determination.