Tourist feeding helped push Japan’s famous Rabbit Island beyond its natural limits

Unregulated tourist feeding on Okunoshima (Rabbit Island) in Hiroshima Prefecture has driven rabbit numbers beyond ecological limits.

Wild boars on the island have begun hunting live rabbits due to leftover food and frequent encounters, an unusual behavior for the species.

The rabbit population, made up of European domestic rabbits, surged with tourism and dropped during COVID-19 lockdowns, highlighting reliance on human handouts.

Overgrazing by rabbits has created a visible 'rabbit line' where vegetation is stripped to the ground, causing widespread plant damage.

Experts recommend regulated feeding practices and long-term conservation strategies to address the ecological crisis on Okunoshima.