Okunoshima ecosystem disrupted by tourist feeding

A study published in the "Journal of Ecotourism" highlights the ecological consequences of tourism on Okunoshima, a Japanese island known as "Rabbit Island." While the island is famous for its large population of feral European rabbits, constant feeding by tourists has caused significant ecosystem imbalances.

The excess food provided by visitors has allowed the rabbit population to grow beyond the island's natural carrying capacity, leading to changes in local vegetation and animal behavior. This surplus of food and the high density of rabbits have also attracted wild boars, which have begun hunting the rabbits. Researchers emphasize that the primary issue is not the presence of the boars, but the human-driven alteration of the natural environment through consistent feeding practices.