Snow Rabbit is a unique species found in the Kanto Mountains, closely related to animals like the purple pheasant, mink, dragon, golden eagle, red deer, moose, brown bear, and primitive pheasant. These creatures are part of a delicate ecosystem that needs protection.
The Snow Rabbit is not only valued for its meat, which is considered a delicacy during feasts, but also for its fur, used as high-end accessories and cold-weather gear. Its internal organs and excrement have significant medicinal value. For instance, Snow Rabbit droppings can treat diarrhea, acne, and eye problems. When mixed with other herbal ingredients like sheep manure, it becomes a powerful remedy for conditions such as vomiting blood, hematuria, and rectal bleeding.
As a vulnerable herbivore, Snow Rabbits face numerous threats from predators like golden eagles, foxes, wolves, leopards, and birds of prey. Humans also play a major role in their decline due to hunting and habitat destruction. I’ve personally witnessed the dangers they face, especially during the hunting season.
In 1969, I joined a hunting expedition along the Heli River in Hegang City. We used a large yellow dog named Huang Gou to track and catch Snow Rabbits. The dog was fierce and strong, but even he struggled against the speed and agility of the rabbits. After a long chase, the dog eventually gave up, exhausted and defeated.
During winter, it's easier to track Snow Rabbits by following their footprints. Their eyes are large but not very sharp, so they rely on their sense of smell and hearing. They are most active at night, moving under the cover of darkness. Tracking them requires patience and experience, something the older hunters knew well.
In early May, when the grass turns green, female Snow Rabbits come into heat, making it a prime time for hunting. However, our team had strict rules—herbivores were not to be hunted with guns. It was considered a moral act to avoid killing them, unless they were injured or threatened. Even then, we tried to minimize harm.
One day, I chased a pair of rabbits with my dog. A male and a female, running side by side. The female suddenly turned back, surprising me. I hit her with a stick, and she fell. She looked beautiful, with clear white fur and brown tips on her ears. But her hind legs were broken, and she could barely move. I felt a pang of guilt.
Later, I found four baby rabbits hidden under fallen logs. They were just born, and the mother was injured. She struggled to comfort them, trying to feed them despite her pain. Her eyes were full of sorrow, and I couldn’t help but feel empathy. I tried to save them, but my dog attacked, killing the wounded mother. I was furious, but there was nothing I could do.
The male rabbit returned, showing no fear. He taunted the dog, leading it on a wild chase. He was fast, agile, and intelligent, always staying one step ahead. Eventually, the dog slipped off a cliff, and the male rabbit stood atop, watching silently. I felt a chill run down my spine.
This experience left me deeply affected. I realized how fragile and beautiful these creatures are, and how much we risk losing if we don’t protect them. I regretted my actions and vowed to be more cautious in the future.
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