Ōkunoshima, also known as “rabbit island,” is a popular tourist destination in Japan, attracting over 100,000 visitors annually. The island’s claim to fame is its population of over 900 wild bunnies. However, these adorable residents are now facing a life-threatening crisis, as tourists are bringing in too much food to feed the rabbits, and often leaving the leftovers behind. The leftovers have started to attract predators from neighboring islands. Due to a significant number of visitors ignoring feeding guidelines, some of the rabbits are also weak and unwell from being fed the wrong diet.
The surge in aggressive wildlife, such as rats, crows, and even wild boars, has put the vulnerable population of rabbits in danger. The rabbits’ biggest enemy are the “jungle crows,” which are known to be very aggressive, according to Kevin Short, a professor of cultural anthropology at Tokyo University of Information Studies. Short explained that these crows could easily kill weak or young rabbits and even swallow newborn rabbits whole.
Although the rabbits are not native to Ōkunoshima, they have become an essential part of the island’s ecosystem and local tourism industry. In the 1900s, the island was home to a factory manufacturing lethal gases for armed forces. The bunnies only began appearing on the island in the 1970s, with some speculating that they descended from a small fluffle of eight bunnies that school children released in 1971. Others say that the rabbits’ ancestors were World War II test subjects.
If not for being so adorable and significant contributors to the local tourism industry, Short believes that the rabbits would likely be viewed as an invasive species like the other predators, according to Japanese law.
However, we can help preserve the rabbits’ well-being by respecting the feeding guidelines set by city administrators when visiting the island. Instead of offering lettuce and carrots, which can be harmful to the rabbits’ health, visitors should provide pelleted food, grass, and vegetables. It is also essential to ensure that any food leftovers are disposed of properly and not left behind, as they attract predators and pose a risk to the rabbits’ safety.
We all can play a significant role in protecting these adorable bunnies and their ecosystem by taking the necessary precautions while visiting Ōkunoshima. Let’s ensure that these bunnies remain a vibrant part of the island’s ecosystem for generations to come.
