The fragility of a young life on Ohkunoshima

1/10/26

When I read the post about Haruka-chan—who was rescued in November—giving birth to six babies after her rescue, I was reminded of a baby rabbit I had seen on the island a few years earlier.

It had a "Z" pattern on its back, so I used to call it "Z-chan."

I remember that when I first saw this baby rabbit—born in February—it was the smallest one I had ever laid eyes on.

"Adorable"—that single word summed it up perfectly. Even though its siblings were also babies, they looked huge compared to Z-chan; that is just how tiny Z-chan was.

Despite her spirit, Z-chan—like 90% of the baby rabbits born on the island who reportedly fail to reach their first birthday—ultimately perished before April. That is just how grueling survival on the island is.