Rabbit Island. Yes, it is a real place. If you are unfamiliar with it, you are probably conjuring up all sorts of images of a beautiful bunny paradise. One that has a multitude of rabbits frolicking and playing, ready to nibble your toes while you lie in the sand. Hotels, cafes and shops that are all rabbit themed toting a bounty of fresh vegetables and fruits for all to enjoy…a veritable bunny themed Disneyland on the beach.
However, as beautiful as this island is, it not only has a dark history, but for rabbit advocates the present and future are just as bleak. Rabbit Island is renowned for its large population of domestic rabbits living in a feral state yet they are the primary attraction for visitors.
Rabbit Island (Usagi Shima), officially known as Ōkunoshima, is a small island, only 4km in circumference, located in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan in Hiroshima Prefecture. The climate of this island can be extreme. Summer’s have a rainy season from June through July with very hot temps. September brings the start of typhoon season. Winters are very cold, dry and sunny and although snow is uncommon, when it does snow, it is usually during February.
The History of Rabbit Island
As far back as 1868 the island has been linked to the military as a fortification during the Sino- Japanese War. 1904-05 the island was used during Japan’s war with Russia. From 1929-1945 Ōkunoshima was used by the Imperial Japanese Army Institute of Science and Technology as a secret location for the production of poisonous gas for chemical warfare. The island’s remote location made it an ideal site for such activities. After the war, the island was abandoned for a period. There are ruins of the old factory and other wartime facilities still present on the island.
As a rabbit advocate, the really dark side of this island is the fact that during the war, rabbits were used as test subjects testing the effectiveness of the chemical weapons. According to some, those rabbits that survived were euthanized by the US military when they took over the island after the war and are not related to the rabbits currently on the island.
Nobody knows for sure how these rabbits came to be on the island. One theory is that some of the original rabbits survived after the war. Another theory is that in 1971 some school children released a small batch of 8 rabbits which then, as we know rabbits do, multiplied. Either way, the rabbits began to thrive due to the lack of predators and human interference.
According to longtime volunteer Junko Roberson “The peak of number of rabbits was around 2015 when YouTubers around the world spread the word and NHK drama, Massan, (the founder of Nikka whiskey was from Takehara city where this is island is located) aired on TV. After boars swam over from Omishima island (next island) around 2016 or so, the number of predators (crows, boars and rats) increased as more people (meaning more garbage left on the island) came to the island. Today, boars are roaming around not just at night but during broad daylight where many people are. It appears the number of predators passed certain threshold and both crows and boars are hunting for rabbits today.”
Environmental and Ethical Considerations of Rabbit Island
Habitat
Although the impact of Tourism has provided economic benefits to Japan, it has also posed challenges, such as ensuring the sustainable management of resources and minimizing human impact on the island’s ecosystem. Visitors are advised to respect the natural habitat and follow guidelines to ensure the well-being of the animals.
Another factor affecting the habitat of Rabbit Island is that residual toxins from the chemical warfare poisoned the groundwater making fresh water from humans another necessity for the rabbits. (it is suspected that the possible tumors of these rabbits is from the toxic groundwater) Fresh water is delivered once a week from the port town of Mihara. Volunteers manage a number of water bowls for the rabbits but the hotel slowly shuts off the water faucets on the island so the volunteers don’t overuse water.
Diet
Feeding by tourists can lead to health issues if inappropriate food is given, and the island authorities provide guidelines to mitigate this. They require visitors to purchase rabbit pellets on the mainland (there is no place on the island to acquire food) and in return visitors receive a free postcard with a rabbit photo once the sack is returned. Vegetables are considered ok, but many are fed cabbage on a regular basis which we all know can be gassy.
Feeding the rabbits in designated areas is recommended to manage their movements and avoid overcrowding in certain spots.
However well meaning these guidelines are, according to the Smithsonian “all the visitors feeding the feral bunnies has led to an unsustainable population boom that has destroyed the island’s ecosystem. Similarly, what and when the rabbits are fed is wreaking havoc on their health.” Imagine people travelling during beautiful weather, ready to feed the rabbits en masse, and then comes inclement weather. Little or no visitors result in little to no food. Some days rabbits are over fed and then they can go for days with little food at all.
At the rate the rabbits have multiplied…in the hundreds if not thousands, the native vegetation has depleted. There is little for rabbits to source on their own when they are hungry or ill. In the wild, rabbits know what to feed on for different illnesses, but it is unclear if these domestic rabbits have that ability. Either way there are just too many rabbits for such a small island.
Care & Lifespan
The rabbits on Rabbit Island are susceptible to human cruelty, diseases and environmental threats without human intervention to help them. They do not receive any type of veterinary care. Since they are considered wild animals rather than domesticated pets (even though they are domestic rabbits living feral), they are left to live and survive naturally on the island. Their population is managed more like a wildlife reserve rather than a domestic animal sanctuary.
Now, we as rabbit owners know the average lifespan of a domesticated rabbit is 8-10 years however due to the factors endured on the island, the lifespan has been reduced to two-years.
Many rabbits have injuries from human contact. According to one repeated visitor (there to volunteer with the rabbits and help educate tourists), people poke at rabbit nests potentially injuring or killing the babies. They also chase the rabbits, step on them and kick them, become frustrated if they don’t eat from their hands thus striking them and many are kids not being watched by their parents. There are no park rangers or anyone of authority to control these behaviors.
One example of human cruelty to these rabbits on Rabbit Island is Matsuzaka. He was a 5 year old rabbit that was chased by kids into the bushes where he lived, cornered and stepped on. His hips were broken.
Without proper housing, diet and care many rabbits have upper respiratory infections and gastrointestinal problems. Injured or sick rabbits as a result of human cruelty are not rescued or treated. They simply end up dying within days if not overnight. Another threat comes from the automobiles and bicycles that are allowed on the island. Vehicles are allowed between pier 2 and the camping ground. Some rabbits hide beneath parked cars therefore getting run over when the car gets moved .
When rabbits die, they are left to follow the natural cycle of decomposition- meaning the handling of deceased rabbits is left to nature such as being dug up by wild boars. In rare cases, if a dead rabbit is found in a high-traffic tourist area and poses a sanitation or health concern, it may be removed by island management (hotel workers) otherwise volunteers will bury the rabbits when they come across them. This helps maintain a clean and pleasant environment for visitors. Again with the benefit of visitors in mind and not the rabbits.
Behavior
Anna Purpurpurpur from the UK had visited Rabbit Island and this is what she had to say: “However, don’t expect them to be just like your pet bunny – these ones are really savage. Don’t be shocked: they fight and scream in front of you, some might have pieces of ears or even eyes missing because actually this is very normal for this species – they can be aggressive and they protect their territory, there is no vet where an owner can bring a rabbit after the injury. Don’t overstroke them for that reason too as they might bite you – I haven’t seen it myself but I bet they can!”
The Future of Rabbit Island
Tourist numbers rise annually as Japan and the hotel on the island use the “cute” rabbits as part of their marketing approach. The Ministry of Environment has taken a hands off approach to helping the rabbits stating that it is the hotels responsibility for managing the population yet the hotel does not take any approach at all either.
This You-tube video made by our favorite bun influencer Lorelei (Lennon) is worth watching. I highly recommend having a tissue nearby as I literally had tears streaming down my face as well as a sick feeling in my gut. She really captures the reality of the dark side of Rabbit Island.
The “Real” look at Rabbit Island
How can we help?
I read an endearing article in the Japan Times written in 2019 by a young girl scout named Miah from Massachusetts. She was pleading for people to help the rabbits on Rabbit Island. I found this excerpt especially moving.
“There are many ways organizations could help. Gardens with lettuce and herbs and fields of grass or hay could be planted. Consistent volunteers or workers are needed to feed them and give them water….Tourists need to be taught about the right foods to feed rabbits. Veterinarians could come to spay and neuter the bunnies and treat injuries and illnesses. But lots of ideas cost money. Fundraisers could raise money to help. Donation boxes could be put on the island to collect money to help.”
I find these to be wise words from a young person. We as rabbit advocates need to do so much more to help save these rabbits. Whether it is writing to the Japanese Ministry of Environment, getting involved in advocacy groups, spreading the word that the conditions these rabbits are enduring are deplorable or simply boycotting the island, we need to help.
Here are some clickable links:
Japan’s Ministry of Environment
Final Thoughts
We can’t become complacent about the reality of the lives of so many rabbits. Learn more about rabbits that are used for testing and become more aware of cruelty free products we ourselves can choose for everyday living.
UPDATE: A wonderful article was just published (December 10, 2024) about Okunoshima that I highly recommend everyone reading!
1 thought on “Rabbit Island…The Somber Truth”
Excellent article and will research. Thank you for bringing this topic to light. My heart breaks for rabbits living in such conditions.