Question

Why did fisherman start bringing cats to Tashirojima Island?

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Fishermen started bringing cats to Tashirojima Island, also known as "Cat Heaven Island" or "Cat Island," primarily to address a significant pest problem. Tashirojima Island is located in Japan and is known for its large population of feral cats. The island has a long history of fishing, particularly for silkworms, which were used to make silk.

Silkworms are a valuable resource for silk production, and the fishermen on Tashirojima Island relied on them for their livelihoods. However, silkworms are vulnerable to predation by mice and other rodents, which can devastate a silkworm population and, consequently, the silk production on the island. To control the rodent population and protect their silkworms, the fishermen began to introduce cats to the island. Cats are natural hunters and are effective at keeping rodent populations in check.

Over time, the cat population on Tashirojima Island grew, as the cats had a consistent source of food from the fishermen and their families. The residents of the island also began to view the cats as good luck and believed that they brought prosperity and protection to the community. As a result, the cats became an integral part of the island's culture, and the population of feral cats has continued to thrive, even after the decline in silkworm production.

Today, Tashirojima Island is a popular tourist destination known for its numerous friendly cats, and it has become a symbol of the unique relationship between humans and cats. Tourists visit the island to interact with and feed the cats, and the cats are well cared for by both the local residents and cat-loving visitors.