Why Okunoshima rabbits Should Not Be Considered Wild Animals

This rabbit died right in front of our eyes

5/17/26

What exactly are the rabbits of Ohkunoshima?

They are not wild rabbits. Rather, they are domesticated rabbits that have reverted to a feral state.

Nor are they the native hares that naturally inhabit mountainous regions.

Ohkunoshima offers virtually none of the food sources that rabbits would typically consume in the wild. As for water, the only naturally available supply they can rely on is rainwater.

Were it not for human intervention—reaching out to lend a helping hand—they would undoubtedly be unable to survive.

It would be misguided to view their suffering—whether falling ill, sustaining injuries, or falling prey to natural predators—as simply the natural order of things.

These rabbits are the descendants of animals abandoned by humans; they are not creatures that originally existed in this natural environment.

They are rabbits whose very existence is sustained by human self-interest—rabbits who have endured decades of sacrifice.

If you view the rabbits of Okunoshima as wild animals, then you must stop providing them with food and water—starting today.

Only then does the argument that "nature should be left to take its course"—or that "we should not intervene with the rabbits"—hold any validity.

This is precisely the stance taken by the Ministry of the Environment. The Ministry's fatal error, however, was failing to prevent the city of Takehara and the Kyukamura resort from actively promoting tourism.

To provide food and water only halfway—and then turn a blind eye when the animals fall ill or get injured—is an act of human egoism. This is all the more reprehensible given that the rabbits are being exploited as tools for tourism.

It seems to me that we are left with only two choices: either provide full care—including food, water, and medical treatment—and allow them to inhabit the island under our supervision; or treat them as truly wild animals, providing neither food nor water, and refrain from any form of intervention whatsoever.