Do not give up on sick rabbits but try to rescue them

When Kaito was healthy back in February 2026

Kaito was grossly underweight and carrying huge abscess before rescue in July 2026

7/31/26

Regarding medical rescue operations from Okunoshima, some argue that rabbits with no chance of survival should simply be left on the island.

Why is that? A rabbit with no hope of recovery is often unable to eat and is in a state where it cannot even be aware of the other rabbits around it.

The surrounding rabbits can do nothing but remain near the suffering animal. 

When a rabbit falls gravely ill, being devoured by its natural predator becomes only a matter of time, and it is forced to experience ultimate terror. As for its family, they would be left to witness the scene of the suffering rabbit being attacked.

The intention behind a rescue is to provide medical care with the hope of recovery. However, I believe that even when the condition is far worse than anticipated and the chances of recovery are slim, there is still significant value in carrying out the rescue.

Once rescued and given attentive care, the rabbits' actual medical conditions would be revealed; this would lead many people to realize the severity of the environment they inhabit on Okunoshima—a place where they cannot live out their natural lifespans.

There are many rabbits that have been rescued, made full recoveries, and are now living happy lives. On the other hand, there are also rabbits whose conditions were too severe to save them.

Unfortunately, that is likely a fact that must simply be accepted as an inherent aspect of rescue operations.

（Kaito was healthy back in February, but he was unbelievably thin and sick when he was rescued in July. Unforfortunately, he passed away 2 weeks after the rescue despite treatment in the hospital)