Serving water to rabbits on Turkish island

MUĞLA – Anadolu Agency

AA Photos

Rabbits living on the Korsan (Pirate) Island in the western province of Muğla’s Marmaris district, have been surviving thanks to the care of people living in the region, who have carried water to the rabbits on the island every day for the past 14 years. 

The island, located on the Orhaniye Cove, near the Kızkumu Beach, is home to ancient city remains as well as rabbits that were left there 15 years ago. Their number is now at more than 300. 

The reason why the rabbits have been able to survive and grow in number is that the operator and workers of the water sports facility on the Kızkumu Beach are regularly carrying water to the island, 300 meters from the coast. 

The operator of the facility, Ferhan Ataş said people had left 30 rabbits on the island 15 years ago but they had began dying when the island ran short of rainwater. 

Ataş said locals then started to provide drinking water for the rabbits. 

“For 14 years, we have been going to the island on a boat or speedboat every other day to leave water. We also give them stale bread and fruits such as watermelon. We estimate that their number is now more than 300,” he said, adding that the rabbits need a more “permanent solution.”