1/11/26 "Living robustly amidst nature"—this is a phrase frequently seen on social media used to describe the rabbits of Okunoshima Island. However, in reality, these rabbits—who receive no genuine care or management—are merely tragic creatures. Buffeted by their own natural instincts and forced to endure harsh weather conditions, they exist solely to be consumed as tourist attractions. Anyone who has ever kept rabbits will recognize the tell-tale signs: rabbits with vacant, lifeless eyes or expressions of obvious distress. Yet, to those who have never owned a rabbit and lack that experience, these very same behaviors often appear to be nothing more than a picture of laid-back relaxation. No matter how much social media hypes up the narrative, the reality remains unchanged. Okunoshima Island is, in truth, far from being a "rabbit paradise." It would be one thing if the rabbits truly lived out their lives in perpetual good health; however, the grim reality is that those scenes of apparent vitality are merely fleeting moments. The undeniable fact remains that, sooner or later, the overwhelming majority of these rabbits will fall ill and die prematurely. It is astonishing how many people continue to visit the island time and again, seeking to draw energy and courage from the rabbits.But isn't that really for your sake? Not for the rabbits'? Once you arrive on the island, it is almost impossible to resist the urge to offer food and water. I, too, am guilty of this. Faced with a hungry rabbit right before your eyes, doing nothing feels undeniably cruel. Yet, we must come to the conscious realization that, despite our intentions, such actions do not actually serve the rabbits' best interests. Unless the Ministry of the Environment alters its current policy regarding the treatment of these rabbits—a policy that essentially dictates "no active care"—the acts of feeding and watering them serve only to perpetuate the vicious cycle of a cruel existence for the rabbits of this island. ​

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.

rabbit got his nose bitten by other rabbit 12/31/25 One big factor to injuries and sickness is FIGHTS AMONG RABBITS. These rabbits are left on the island totally unmanaged and they form their own territories. Consequently, they constantly fight inside/outside their territories. They fought when there were 1000 rabbits 10 years ago and even when there are only 300 left today, they still fight. Attacked rabbits suffer from severe injuries and die from infection or predator attack. They are not wild rabbits. Someone dumped domestic rabbits and multiplied on the island. In fact, dumping pet rabbits continued on this island. These injuries are occurring on this MANMADE rabbit island and the fact feeding was permitted and rabbit population grew, both Takehara city and the Ministry of Environment should be held responsible for their lives. You should not treat these fight related injuries as incidents in nature. Realizing short lifespan on the island and finding some rabbits alive after a few years and thinking they are good… no, they are not good… not good at all. It’s not normal for them to live only for a few years. It’s a clear indication these rabbits do not belong to this island.

baby rabbit on the verge of death due to with gastric stasis 12/18/25 Okunoshima—an island that acts in direct opposition to the spirit of animal welfare. Marketed as a place teeming with rabbits, it has become a tourist destination that any rabbit lover would undoubtedly dream of visiting. But what is the reality behind the hype? The rabbits run freely across the island; upon spotting a human, they approach just like dogs, begging for food. This behavior—so distinct from the aloof, erratic personality of rabbits kept as household pets—is precisely why most visitors become so captivated by them. Although Okunoshima is a national park under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Environment, the animals inhabiting the island receive absolutely no official management or care. Consequently, the rabbits are left entirely at the mercy of tourists for their food and water. Visitors, acting on hearsay or simply following the lead of others, bring whatever they think is good for the animals—and proceed to feed them indiscriminately. Unsurprisingly, this results in the deaths of many rabbits. Many are accidentally stepped on, or—even more frequently—picked up by tourists only to be dropped; a great number of rabbits perish as a direct result of such incidents. Even those that manage to survive these ordeals are often left unattended, eventually succumbing to death anyway. Tourists never learn the truth: that a rabbit may have died the very next day as a direct consequence of their actions. They simply snap a few cute photos and head home. And so, day after day, new tourists arrive, and this unseen tragedy—known to no one—repeats itself endlessly. The rabbits—descendants of those abandoned long ago mixed with pet rabbits abandoned in more recent years—breed incessantly; they are born in droves, only to die in droves. It is precisely because of this astonishing reproductive capacity that the city of Takehara—despite the high mortality rate—feels absolutely no sense of urgency or crisis. They likely assume that since new rabbits are constantly being born, they can simply leave things as they are. It is a "tourism resource" that replenishes itself without any intervention. For the companies profiting from Okunoshima's rabbits—and for the city of Takehara itself—there could be no business model with a better cost-performance ratio than this. It is, in every respect, the "ideal" model of wildlife tourism: a perfect trifecta of zero maintenance, zero food costs, and zero care. If domestic rabbits are left to roam freely in this manner—without any oversight or efforts to address the various problems that inevitably arise—then surely no one can be blamed if Okunoshima comes under fire as an "island of rabbit abuse." While Okunoshima’s rise as a tourist destination may have been a matter of chance, now that it has achieved such widespread fame, isn't it high time to take a hard look at the reality of the situation and implement proper management for the rabbits? Takehara City, Ministry of the Environment—are you listening?

Pururu (Cheeky) chan had Periapical abscess, lung abscess, jaw bone dissolved. Mahiro had Traumatic Suppurative Periarthritis Kiki had neck and jawbone shattered leaving him with malocclusion that needs periodic dental treatment. 12/12/25 Do not forget Ohkunoshima is a tourist spot at the expense for lives of rabbits. Medical conditions of rabbits on Ohkunoshima are frequently overlooked. Pururu (Cheeky)(rescued in Sept 24) had a balloon like lump on her cheek. Initially, we thought it is abscess and can be healed once it’s drained, but her condition involved apical abscess, malnutrition,malocclusion、dissolved jawbone, pneumonia and lung abscess. Mahiro (rescued in Nov 25) seemed to have broken bone or dislocated hip, but it was incurable septic arthritis and ended up losing his leg. Kiki, only 600 gram baby rabbit rescued 2 weeks ago, despite suspected injury from rabbit fight, turned out to have neck and jawbone fracture and its left inner ear was totally smashed to irreparable condition due to human related injury. All of these rescued rabbits were in worse condition than originally anticipated. The conditions involve infection by multiple factors. Other than inherent disease, causes were wrong diet, rabbit fights and abuse by humans. Considerable number of rabbits had tumors and the very first rescued rabbit, Ran chan, had cancerous tumor. I’m probably not the only one speculating there is residual arsenic in the ground. According to the report by the Ministry of Environment, removal of arsenic was not completed to cover all the grounds. Deep in the woods where rabbits probably expose themselves to arsenic when they dig the ground. They are not wild rabbits who originally lived on this island. They were dumped by humans many years ago including dumping in later years and multiplied. Therefore, this is MAN MADE rabbit island. Then, the Ministry of Environment who manages the island and Takehara city where this island is located are both responsible for lives of these rabbits. Especially, the Ministry allows tourists to feed and give water to rabbits and Takehara City exploits them for tourism. - Why do rabbits need to suffer for enjoyment for humans? - Why are they not protected?　 - Why are medical rescues not accepted positively by MOE? - Why are rabbits not allowed to come back to the island after medical treatment? Why is coming back home considered as animal dumping?

baby rabbit immobilized due to GI stasis 11/24/25 If the Ministry of the Environment truly believes that simply leaving the rabbits "to nature"—as they put it—while tourists interact with them out of good intentions, will result in a smooth flow of tourism revenue for Takehara City, then they are engaging in a misguided, amateurish form of animal-based tourism. Nowhere else can you find a place where you can approach such adorable rabbits without any fences or barriers, and feed them to your heart's content. It is only to be expected that accidents will occur—such as rabbits being accidentally stepped on, or children seeking attention from inattentive parents causing harm to the animals (a phenomenon that, surprisingly, happens quite frequently). This situation did not begin yesterday or today. After visiting this site for twelve years, it is my firm opinion that no matter how many signs are posted or how many people offer verbal warnings, it is—quite frankly—like pouring water on a hot stone; it makes absolutely no difference. Theft of rabbits, abandonment of rabbits, and even the abuse of rabbits will undoubtedly continue in the future. With no rangers permanently stationed on-site, what exactly are they hoping to achieve? Unless they adopt a management model similar to a petting zoo—where, for instance, feeding times are restricted—there is simply no way to protect the vulnerable baby rabbits from harm. Rather than placing their hopes on the manners of tourists, the authorities must shift their focus toward actively managing and protecting the rabbits; otherwise, there will be no end to the suffering and sacrifice of the island's rabbit population. Who will raise their voice on behalf of the rabbits? Ministry of the Environment, Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Environmental Office — National Parks DivisionEmail: REO-CHUSHIKOKU@env.go.jp

Severe nasal infection prevents him from eating Rabbit could barely breathe 10/30/25 The rabbits of Okunoshima Island are designated by the Ministry of the Environment as "Priority Invasive Alien Species for Control" on its list of invasive species that pose a risk to ecosystems. Given that domestic rabbits were abandoned on the island decades ago, it is perhaps not surprising that they are treated as "invasive alien species." Even when rabbits on the island are sick or injured, no measures are taken to help them. The rationale appears to be that since no one holds legal ownership of the island's rabbits, providing no care for them does not constitute a violation of the Animal Welfare Act. One even gets the impression that this situation has been cleverly defined in this way specifically to ensure that no one can be held accountable. Furthermore—with the official endorsement of the Ministry of the Environment—a group known as the "Okunoshima Island Future Creation Executive Committee" has established rules requesting that visitors refrain from taking any rabbits off the island. While the underlying intent is likely to prevent potential diseases carried by the island's rabbits from spreading to the outside world, isn't it far more probable that—even if such diseases did exist—they would have already been spread by tourists? Moreover, rabbits that are rescued are taken directly to a veterinary hospital, so there is absolutely no need for concern regarding them. The rule against touching the rabbits also appears to be justified on the grounds that they might be carrying diseases; however, isn't the true underlying reason actually to prevent people from getting injured by being bitten by the rabbits? In the past, anti-crow deterrents were hung from trees near the burrows to protect the rabbits from attacks by crows. Undoubtedly, these were all removed shortly thereafter. When we requested that signs be posted asking people not to climb on the burrows in order to protect the baby rabbits inside, the Ministry of the Environment explained that they would not permit signs created "for the sake of the rabbits"; however, they noted that signs requesting people not to climb could potentially be approved—depending on the specific circumstances—if the justification was framed around the risk of injury to humans. Similarly, the concern raised regarding leftover food scraps likely stems less from the fear that an increase in natural predators might lead to attacks on the rabbits, and more from the view that such scraps detract from the island's scenic beauty and create undesirable sanitary conditions. In short, while the wording on the island’s signage has seen some minor improvements in recent years, I am compelled to say that, fundamentally, the rules are by no means designed for the benefit of the rabbits; rather, they exist to protect visitors and the island’s natural environment. Despite this, the Ministry of the Environment—which oversees Okunoshima as a National Park where such activities would typically be prohibited—has granted the city of Takehara permission to allow both the feeding of rabbits and the installation of water troughs. Do people truly understand what it means to provide food and water? It means accepting responsibility for those lives. In my view, the Ministry of the Environment’s touted approach of "leaving nature to take its course" is nothing more than "neglect." As long as the city of Takehara continues to generate tourism revenue on the backs of these rabbits, I consider the abandonment of sick or injured animals to be a clear-cut case of animal cruelty. We witness irresponsible and improper feeding by tourists, along with countless instances of children injuring the rabbits—actions that have led to the deaths of untold numbers of these animals. Even the dedicated volunteers who dote on the rabbits have, over time, grown desensitized to their illnesses and injuries, resigning themselves to the reality of their short lifespans. Shockingly, they now go so far as to criticize and slander those who attempt to rescue sick rabbits, accusing them of violating the rules. Am I the only one who struggles to comprehend this glaring contradiction—that the very people who provide food and water out of a desire for the rabbits to remain healthy would then turn against those trying to save them? If one has no intention of caring for these animals through to the very end, then I believe that providing them with food or water ultimately does nothing to truly benefit the rabbits. Will anything on Okunoshima truly change in the near future? How does the city of Takehara—which relies absolutely on the tourism revenue generated by these rabbits—intend to address this situation? If "sustainable tourism" is truly a viable concept here, I urge them to present a concrete plan immediately. Due to a lack of adequate countermeasures, the wild boar population has surged, and the predation of rabbits by these boars is now a frequent occurrence. This grim reality is clearly reflected in the drastic increase in the number of rabbit carcasses being discovered. If things continue on this path, there is a growing likelihood that the landscape of this island—once celebrated as "Rabbit Island"—will be transformed into something entirely different. Who, then, will step forward to protect the lives of these rabbits? Time and again, the ones who end up as victims are none other than the rabbits of the island. The tragedy of Okunoshima continues... We ask for your cooperation in lodging a protest against this situation. Please file a complaint with the Ministry of the Environment.Ministry of the Environment, Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Environmental Office — National Parks DivisionEmail: REO-CHUSHIKOKU@env.go.jp

Not a single yen from tourism goes to Rabbits on Ohkunoshima Who is responsible for these rabbits? 10/15/25 Okunoshima. It is an island that once housed a poison gas factory during World War II; however, it has since become a small island inhabited by a multitude of rabbits—descendants of those abandoned there years ago, who subsequently bred unchecked over many generations. For a long time, it remained a "hidden gem"—an island known only to a select few as a home for rabbits. However, starting about a decade ago, YouTubers began broadcasting its existence to the world, causing the number of tourists to skyrocket. In response, both the city of Takehara and Hiroshima Prefecture seized the opportunity, featuring the island's rabbits on promotional posters and pouring their efforts into boosting tourism. With countless tourists and photography enthusiasts posting images of the adorable rabbits on social media, the synergistic effect on tourism promotion must have been nothing short of spectacular. The island soon evolved into a pilgrimage site for rabbit lovers flocking in from all corners of Japan and the globe. I have even heard that the Kure Line railway and the Omishima Ferry—transportation links once rumored to be facing closure or discontinuation—were saved from that fate thanks to the rabbits of Okunoshima. I still vividly remember my first visit to the island in 2013, when I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of rabbits—so many that they seemed to blanket the entire island. Seeing that feeding was permitted within this national park, and observing the water basins placed throughout the grounds, I initially assumed the rabbits were being properly cared for. However, when I later learned the grim reality—that they were essentially being left to fend for themselves, with even tasks like replenishing water and picking up trash left entirely to volunteers—I could hardly believe it. Naturally, there was absolutely no veterinary care provided; even back in 2013, sick and injured rabbits could be seen scattered everywhere. The fact that the specific population of rabbits seemed to change completely with every subsequent visit leaves no doubt in my mind that, even back then, the majority of the rabbits were living very short lives. I, too, once held the naive belief that "the more rabbits there are, the more fun it is to feed them." However, after years of witnessing countless rabbits lose their lives to injury and disease, my feelings eventually shifted; I came to feel nothing but indignation toward the cruel, neglected living conditions to which the rabbits of Okunoshima are subjected. As is evident at a glance from the photograph, this rabbit is ill. It is suffering from a severe infection; despite being a highly social animal, it is constantly alone—without a partner or anyone to groom it—and has fallen into a state so wretched and dilapidated that its fur is far beyond mere dishevelment. Rabbits that fall into such a condition typically perish from respiratory distress or are killed by natural predators. The Ministry of the Environment has stated that, as the island's rabbits are classified as an invasive species, it has absolutely no intention of providing them with any care. However, if the Ministry permits the city of Takehara to allow feeding and the installation of water troughs within the national park—thereby sanctioning the tourism industry—is it truly justifiable for them to refuse to provide care for the very rabbits that serve as the industry's primary tourist attraction? If you believe that these rabbits should receive medical care, please send your feedback to the Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Environmental Office. The collective voices of many individuals can become a powerful force for change. Chugoku-Shikoku Regional Environmental Office — Feedback & Inquiries REO-CHUSHIKOKU@env.go.jp

Fracture of the right foreleg; severe pneumonia; severe pasteurellosis; inflammation of the external and middle ear; laceration of the left ear caused by a sharp object He had to be hospitalized for one month to treat his conditions 9/17/25 Criticism—specifically the accusation that we are "tearing families apart"—is sometimes leveled against our efforts to rescue injured and ailing rabbits on Okunoshima Island. However, once a rabbit sustains an injury, it becomes so profoundly timid—to the point where one might think its very personality has changed—that it flees at the mere approach of other rabbits. The surrounding rabbits, too, show absolutely no mercy toward an injured, vulnerable individual. While there are rare instances of injured females managing to avoid attack within the safety of the group, the ultimate fate of an injured rabbit is typically wretched—a cruelty so harrowing that it is almost unbearable to witness. Rabbits are by no means strictly faithful to a single partner. They frequently take multiple partners, and should a partner pass away, they appear to face no difficulty whatsoever in finding a new one.As is common among many herd-dwelling animals, seeking out a new partner is likely just a natural, routine part of life in the wild. Those individuals who have been visiting the island for years—often referred to as Usakatsu (rabbit enthusiasts)—seem to harbor a unique emotional attachment to the rabbits. I believe they are deeply moved by a sense of "familial bonding"—a bond they perhaps failed to find in the human world (the sight of a cute rabbit grooming a family member likely resonates deeply with them)—and they have come to view these specific interactions as representative of the entire reality of the island's rabbit population. I am not suggesting that it is wrong to be moved by such scenes of rabbit behavior. However, I feel that they have become so beguiled by the rabbits' charming appearance—and so consumed by this romanticized fantasy—that they have lost sight of their moral obligation, as human beings, to assist animals in need. Rabbits are not human beings. They are incapable of sustaining complex emotions—the kind that humans experience—over any extended period. When "Ran-chan," a rabbit rescued in July 2024, was placed in an air-conditioned vehicle and began eating delicious treats she had never tasted on the island, did she spare a single thought for her companions back home? Did she think, "If I leave the island, I’ll never get to see everyone again"? She possesses neither the cognitive capacity nor the emotional depth to experience such sentiments, and she certainly displayed no outward signs of doing so. I believe that those who oppose the removal of rabbits from the island identified this particular narrative—the "tearing families apart" storyline—as the one most likely to garner public sympathy; they chose to thrust it to the forefront of the debate, attempting to "protect" the island by casting aspersions upon the rescue team. I have spent the past year navigating the world of social media, enduring an atmosphere so hostile that it felt driven by a personal vendetta—a determination to crush us at any cost. Yet, throughout it all, our rescue team has continued its work, always putting the rabbits first. This is because humans are the only ones capable of saving them; if the authorities will not step in, then it falls to concerned volunteers to do so. I wish to put an end to these childish squabbles once and for all. Nothing positive can ever emerge from such conflict. The behavior displayed by some of our detractors—such as interrogating someone simply because they "liked" one of our posts, or deliberately ignoring us when we cross paths on the island—is truly baffling. It goes beyond mere surprise; I am utterly dumbfounded that people nearing the age of sixty could act with the maturity of middle schoolers. I implore them to stop.Rather than engaging in such antics, they should be channeling their energy into lobbying the authorities to improve the conditions for the rabbits. I also wish they would cease their petty maneuvering—such as fawning over the administration—in a desperate bid to secure a seat on the Rabbit Subcommittee. In fact, the Ministry of the Environment’s selection process for that very subcommittee remains deeply unconvincing to me. Over the years that the administration failed to implement any meaningful measures, the ecosystem of Okunoshima has undergone a drastic transformation. Lately, I find myself constantly wondering what the next year or two will hold. Is there anyone out there who is truly concerned about the future of the rabbits on Okunoshima? What, if anything, will the administration actually do? We cannot simply leave this in the hands of others. We must all join forces to demand that both Takehara City and the Ministry of the Environment take action to improve the welfare of the rabbits. If things continue on their current path, the fate of the island is already sealed: the rabbits will once again be abandoned—or worse, their very existence will fade into obscurity until they vanish from sight entirely.

Sora with multiple medical issue before resuce 800g Kuran rescued for leg injury but actually had chronic hepatitis and pulmonary edema. She suddenly passed away after rescue. a rabbit with left leg injury 9/16/25 “Living Freely, Carefree, and Happily” Tourists often find it adorable—and exciting—to see rabbits rushing toward them, devouring the food offered to them with such gusto, and this leaves them feeling that they want to return to visit again. However, the tourists who come to Okunoshima Island are under a misconception. They likely judge that the rabbits are living happily based solely on the impressions formed during their own brief visits to the island; but have they ever witnessed the rabbits’ condition during the scorching heat of summer? Michael and I have personally witnessed rabbits dying from heatstroke. The more time one actually spends on the island, the less likely one is to claim that these rabbits are living a happy life. The reason they rush toward people is simply that they are hungry—and because they know they must snatch up food faster than anyone else, as there is no guarantee of when their next meal might come. Due to their cute appearance, this behavior creates a false impression among tourists. I believe the misconception that they are “living freely and without restraint” stems from the fact that they are seen running around the island. In reality, however, they live within territories of a specific, limited size. Within these territories, a clear social hierarchy exists; weaker rabbits live in constant fear, struggling desperately just to get their paws on some food. This is precisely why one often encounters rabbits with torn ears, scratched eyes, or lacerated skin. When hunger reaches a critical point, a rabbit may cross territorial boundaries indiscriminately; when this happens, it is attacked by the boss of that territory—or by other rabbits within it. These attacks are not limited to mere chases; in some cases, they escalate into life-and-death struggles, leaving the victim severely injured—sometimes even resulting in death. Even if the island’s rabbit population were to decrease, the fighting would not cease. This is because the rabbits’ deeply ingrained territorial instincts remain unchanged. Even within the same territory, fights frequently erupt over female rabbits. Instances where rabbits were truly living together harmoniously—like a family—were few and far between. While it is true that highly social rabbits tend to form partnerships, they do not necessarily remain together for life in the way that certain bird species do. Observing the sight of rabbits sitting together, people concoct and share all sorts of sentimental stories. Yet, the reality is far harsher: should a rabbit sustain an injury, its companions will cast it out; in some cases, they will even prevent young kits from approaching their food source, effectively starving them to death. Rabbit society is not nearly as idyllic as it appears. Some might argue that such behavior is inevitable because these are "wild" rabbits; however, isn't this social structure merely the result of domestic rabbits being abandoned in the wild? They are not truly wild rabbits—far from it. To put it bluntly, the existence of the rabbits on Okunoshima is simply the product of being left completely unchecked and neglected. Diseases run rampant; while the rabbits may experience brief periods of remission, sooner or later their conditions inevitably worsen, bringing their short lives to a tragic end. Tourists, seeking a photo of themselves holding a rabbit, will lift the animals into the air; the rabbits struggle to break free, fall to the ground, and suffer broken bones. Children chase the rabbits relentlessly—whether in broad daylight or the pitch-black of night—and, with grim inevitability, trample them underfoot, causing fractures. I firmly believe that continuing to leave these rabbits to fend for themselves merely to attract tourists—and the irresponsible behavior of those tourists who chase the animals—amounts to nothing less than animal cruelty. I implore you: do not turn a blind eye to the fact that these rabbits have become victims of human self-indulgence. Okunoshima absolutely must change.

Ran chan on the island before rescue 4/14/25 Rabbits run up to you. That behavior is exactly what entices people to keep coming back to Ohkunoshima. But, if you really think about this, they run up to you simply because they are hungry, not that they love you. I asked rabbit owners who commute to this island a question many times. Why do you come to this island? You already own rabbits(s) at home? They told me, these rabbits are special. They make me feel they need me. They heal me. They know rabbits on the island don’t live in the most desirable environment. Harsh weather conditions, constant threat by their predators and prevalent diseases on the island, but regular commuters seem to justify themselves thinking these rabbits live freely and live happily with their family. That’s how YOU justify this situation. You know how tough it is to live there. They never get to live long lives and you accept it as is. You want to keep this place as is as you feel good being needed by these rabbits. That’s your self satisfaction. That’s not for rabbits’ welfare. Ran chan rescued in July ’24 used to put as many pellets as possible into her mouth. She wanted to eat as much as possible as she doesn’t know how much and when she gets to eat next time. That’s understandable. Once rescued, Ran chan was a new rabbit after 3 months later. Without gigantic ball size tumor on her ear, she looked more like a regular rabbit. What surprised me the most was, she no longer was aggressive with food. Knowing she gets to eat good food anytime changed her behavior altogether. I felt this is the way most house rabbits behave in their living environment. She was still excited to see an apple puree package which was her favorite while on the island and gobbled it down in no time. What do you do for these rabbits on Ohkunoshima? Or are you simply going there for your own fun?

baby rabbit with broken foot adult rabbit with swollen foot 3/3/25 What changed in the last 8 months since Ran chan was rescued? Tourists’ behavior did not change. Nothing changed in the last 12 years. They feed raw vegetables and make them sick. They chase rabbits, step on them causing injuries. All these rabbits ultimately died. What changed is behavior by specific people who regularly visit this island, called “usa katsu” (People involved in caring for rabbits) Slanders by these people involved name calling such as North Korean abductor, killer, fraud, black ship (referring to Commodore Perry from USA), use of abducted rabbits for selling rabbits. This smear campaign was far worse than bullying in schools and used SNS for manipulation. They post fake info about us and change setting not to allow us to make comments. They ask us questions and criticize we don’t even answer knowing we can’t. You will never know what’s truth unless you can validate the truth yourself. Spiteful bullying out of the island reminds me of village ostracism. We were watched by multiple people during our stay and created a bizarre scene. They enforce gag order to other pro-rescue “usa katsu” by psychological pressure and concealed sick and injured rabbits. Brainwashing new “usa katsu”.All these sneaky moves done by people with love for rabbits. They think they can protect their playground by destroying us. What about rabbits? They should be negotiating with the Ministry of Environment and Takehara city to make changes for these rabbits instead of blocking us from rescue attempts. We will continue our efforts for awareness of this exploitation of rabbits and no care in spite of sickness and injuries. No efforts, no change.