Can you envision a real-life island inhabited by wild animals? It exists in Japan. Once on the island, you may find yourself in a world similar to “Planet of the Apes” except with bunnies instead of apes.
Okunoshima Island () is a small island in the Seto Inland Sea in Hiroshima Prefecture. During WWII, the island was used as a poison gas production for most of China’s chemical warfare.
This island is now the world’s cutest, inhabited by wild rabbits. It is believed that in 1971 a local youngster unleashed 8 rabbits on this island, which has since grown to 700. Visitors to the island are greeted by fluffy bunnies which can be fed or played with. The island’s attractions include hot springs, lovely beaches, and cycling.
Several guidelines must be followed to securely enjoy this unusual island with bunnies. 1) Do not chase or hold bunnies, as they are easily stressed. 2) Avoid playing with them on public roads. 3) Because bunnies have poor eyesight, do not place your hands near their mouths. 4) Avoid giving them crackers, bread, or anything else that could upset their tummy. (The island visitor center sells rabbit chow.) 5) Keep dogs away from bunnies (Assistance dogs are allowed). From Tadanoumi, take the ferry to the island (Hiroshima prefecture). A 7-minute walk from JR Tadanoumi station (1.5hrs from Hiroshima station).
Our animal pals have no reason to fear because there are no predators on the island. And the reason why rabbits are so friendly to humans is simple: food. With so many rabbits on the island, they’d soon eat all the plants! So they are incredibly fortunate to receive tasty goodies from lovely island visitors.
If you’re wondering why there are so many rabbits on the island, there are no predators. A female rabbit and her offspring may hypothetically produce up to fifty THOUSAND bunnies in just three years! Predators generally kill roughly 80% of these small guys, but the numbers keep rising without predators.
