Wildlife toursim & Ohkunoshima

typical sick rabbit with eye infection

5/16/26

I want you to understand this:

Why is the neglect of the rabbits on Okunoshima Island such a serious problem?

There is a concept known as "wildlife tourism"—quite literally, tourism centered around wild animals.

As the World Animal Protection organization has noted, for wildlife tourism to be truly sustainable, the conservation and welfare of the animals must take precedence over mere human entertainment.

The rabbits of Okunoshima exist in an environment inferior even to that of a petting zoo—devoid of keepers or overseers—making the island, in reality, a tourist destination characterized by animal cruelty and pure exploitation.

When viewed through the proper lens of how wildlife tourism ought to be conducted, it would come as no surprise if the situation on Okunoshima were to be deemed unacceptable and forced to cease immediately.

Those who defend the current state of Okunoshima—or who have no desire to see it improved—fall into specific categories: those who derive economic benefit from the rabbits' presence on the island; those who visit regularly, seeking emotional solace in the animals; and tourists who view Okunoshima simply as an affordable destination for a family outing.

The vast majority of these individuals believe that the rabbits are living happily on the island, remaining completely unaware that, once the visitors have departed, the rabbits are left to die. After the tourists have enjoyed their day of leisure, countless rabbits are left to suffer from injuries or disease, bringing their short lives to a premature end. This vicious cycle has persisted for decades.

Anyone who has ever kept a rabbit as a pet should be able to fully grasp just how cruel a life it is for these animals—a life lived entirely without care or protection.

The environment on Okunoshima is far from being a suitable habitat for rabbits. There is scarcely any vegetation for them to eat, and water sources are all but nonexistent. The summers are long and hot. The winters can bring snow and are cold enough to cause a decline in tourist numbers. Moreover, it amounts to the ultimate form of outdoor confinement.

If Okunoshima is to be promoted as a tourist destination centered on rabbits, a commensurate level of responsibility must be upheld for the sake of the animals.