Not too long ago, we did a feature on Japan’s “cat islands” (猫島) – islands inhabited by a small number of people and a disproportionately large number of stray cats. With nearly a dozen locations stretched across the Japanese archipelago, these islands have become popular tourist destinations for cat lovers. Overpopulation and disease on these islands can pose potential health concerns for cats and humans alike. That’s led some in Japan to take measures to contain the damage.
But the situation took a turn for the worse this week on the island of Umajima, just north of Kyushu. Reports show that the cat population on this island has dropped dramatically over the past 5 years – from nearly 100 cats to about 30. Conservation groups have noted several cases of cats staggering and foaming at the mouth, while locals say they’re seeing as many as five dead cats in one day.
As we’ve discussed before, animal rescues and volunteers had been utilizing a TNR (trap-neuter-return) method in Umajima to humanely control and vaccinate the exponentially increasing population of cats. But a thriving colony dropping to a third of its size in half a decade suggests a malevolent and unnatural cause. The symptoms and stark increase in deaths suggest that cats on this island are being poisoned.
In an interview with Fuji Television, a man showed several cuts of fish from the cats’ feeding grounds that appeared to be laced with a strange blue chemical.
魚の切り身に、多分強い農薬だと思うけど、それを混ぜたもの、塗られたものを置かれてたという状況。
In these cuts of fish, there’s what looks to be a strong pesticide. It appears to have been intentionally mixed in and spread on the fish.
Sakami Kunihisa, board chairman of the Japan nonprofit Doubutukikin (どうぶつ基金, “Animal Foundation”) and its TNR initiative Sakura Neko (さくらねこ, “cherry blossom cats”) has also expressed concerns for foul play towards these animals. The group is targeting a goal of zero euthanizations for stray cats by the 2020 Olympics, with TNR and adoptions being the primary countermeasures.
完全に異常事態だと言い切れると思います。考えられる原因としては、人的被害を受けたと思います
I can say with confidence that this is a completely abnormal situation. The only likely cause seems to be people with malicious intent.
Animal conservation groups are currently pressing for an investigation surrounding the likelihood of abuse in this case. We will include any updates on this page.
Japan is no stranger to animal-based tourism. Cay islands and deer parks and the like can be exciting places for fellow animal lovers to make new fluffy friends. But as these locations become more and more popular, conservation groups have their hands full in making sure these animals are treated humanely by their human visitors. Just recently, reports of Nara deer dying after eating people’s plastic trash made international news.
If you’re thinking about visiting one of these places, make sure to do your research and treat these animals with the respect they deserve. Know which attractions are animal-friendly, and consider donating to conservation groups like Doubutukikin that help keep these animals happy and healthy.
