Memorable Rabbits Part 6 Ran chan

Size of her tumor was breathtaking

SOS post done before leaving the island

Her tumor was reduced in size significantly by over a month of medication

After surgical removal of her tumor, she regained the quality of life

8/21/26

A rabbit on the West Coast that had a large tumor on its ear.

The size of the tumor was breathtaking. She was all alone but fortunately, she held high rank in the territory, so she was rarely chased by others. 

Posts about the rabbit had been appearing for a few months and everyone expressed a desire to help her. Living in the US, no home in Japan, we had no option. I posted her condition with SOS call before leaving the island.  It was only after we had returned to the US that I received word that help was on its way. 

Following discussion with the Ministry of the Environment responsible for this national park, Ran chan was rescued on the condition that she would be not returned to the island and that a permanent foster home would be found for her.  Ran chan underwent major surgery, successfully removing the cancerous tumor. While amputating the ear might have been the simplest approach, the vet took time to shrink tumor with meds first, allowing them to remove only the tumor itself. Details of the surgery were shared in a post, and the advanced medical techniques employed were truly astonishing.

Those who frequented Ohkunoshima were deeply shocked by this rescue. Although everyone had previously expressing desire to help her, they unleashed a storm of criticism after her resuce. I was disheartened, wondering their words about wanting to help had been mere lip service. For at least nine month to a year, we were accused of donation fraud and became targets of slander.