What do you do for Ohkunoshima rabbits?

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?