Some people travel for art, monuments, food and festivals. But some people travel to see animals, and we’re not talking about the safari/birdwatcher types. Here’s just a taster of where you can visit the furry and not-so-furry species!
#1 Cat Island, Tashiojima, Japan
They outnumber the humans there 4 to 1 and are well taken care of by the humans and tourists that flock to the island to admire the felines. Originally introduced to nip a rodent problem in the bud, the cats are now seen as a good luck charm; and good luck they did have, after surviving the recent tsunami/earthquake tragedy that hit Japan.
#2 Red Crab Island, Christmas Island, Australia
More than 100 million red crabs dominate this island, and it’s a sight to see when they begin their annual migration. Once the wet season begins, they move seawards to lay eggs. Ick or aww? You decide.
#3 Pig Island, Big Major Cay Island, Bahamas
It’s a mystery how these feral honkers got onto the island, but now that they have, it’s theirs. They live the life, basking in the sun, taking advantage of tourists and their lunches that they eventually get just by being adorable.
#4 Rabbit Island, Okunoshima, Japan
Used previously for the testing of poison gas, the rabbits that now inhabit the island were previously lab animals which were set free on the island. Left to propagate of their own free will, (rabbits being rabbits) there are now hundreds of bunnies all over the island with no natural predators. In other words, bunny heaven.
#5 Pony Island, Maryland, United States
Assateague Island is mainly uninhabited, and these opportunistic wild ponies have made it their own. They roam the beaches and generally live the high life. Any tourists are dissuaded from trying to ride the ponies as they are wild in nature.
#6 Seal Island, Cape Town, South Africa
Entirely covered with Cape Fur seals, Seal Island is just off the coast of Cape Town and has no human inhabitants or vegetation whatsoever. They thrive on the fish that live there, but are wary of the great white sharks that circle the bay that surrounds them.
Which of these animal islands would you visit, nomads?
Main photo: 1.
Photo credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
kangaroo island, adelaide
Thanks for the tip, Jan!