Chiburishima Facing Tanuki Overpopulation Crisis

Chiburishima, a small island in the Sea of Japan that prides itself on having no office buildings, no traffic signals, no convenience stores, and no stress is facing a crisis that may force them to admit that stress exists on their island. The number of tanuki (racoon dog) on the island has reached an alarming level, becoming a major pest for the islanders and their cattle.

Here is a report on the situation from Fuji Television:

When Lafcadio Hearn wrote about the great beauty of Chiburishima in Glimpses of an Unfamiliar Japan(1894), he made no mention of tanuki. This is because the species did not exist on the island until some folks introduced them some 60 years ago. Since the tanuki lacked any natural enemies, their population gradually rose and reached the high figure it now stands at.

Chiburishima’s human residents are now attempting to deal with the overpopulation problem, but it will be a difficult task. According to the island’s official homepage, 40% of Chiburishima’s population is elderly, so the population gap between human and tanuki will probably continue to rise regardless of the small number of animals that can be caught in traps. In the meantime, some islanders are attempting to make the best of the situation by selling tanuki-themed souvenir snacks to tourists.