Alarmed at an increase in deaths of a rare and protected species of rabbit in Japan’s semi-tropical southern islands due to human negligence, the Environment Ministry’s Naha Nature Conservation Office on Friday declared a “state of emergency.”

According to the office, the number of Amami black rabbits found dead after being hit by cars or killed by feral dogs and cats has increased dramatically in recent years, nearby doubling to 57 in 2007 compared with the previous year and hitting 74 last year.

Via Japan today