Only after World War II did the secret spill: Ōkunoshima, located in the Inland Sea of Japan between Hiroshima and Shikoku, was the top-secret site for manufacturing chemical warfare. When the factories were closed down, a number of exotic wild rabbits were seen freely roaming the island. They were assumed to have been the test subjects for the chemical weapons, which the military failed to eradicate when the factory was demolished.

After being rescued as a young fox cub, Todd the 11-month-old fox is getting along just fine as a domestic pet together with his owner, Emma D’Sylva. Todd goes for walks on a leash, plays with D’Sylva’s two other dogs, and wags his tail when it’s time to eat. He was rescued by D’Sylva when he was 4 months old from other owners who could no longer care for him.

David Martinez, a divemaster and shark feeder, risks life and limb when he hand feeds tiger sharks at Tiger Beach in the Bahamas in December 2022. (Photo by Caters News Agency)

A participant competes in the “Nostalgic Ski Race” in the western town of Neuastenberg February 8, 2015. The “Nostalgic Ski Race” is held every two years with about 40 participants and is organized by the ski club of Neuastenberg, a town which was founded in 1713. The conditions for the participation in the race are vintage skis and dresses. (Photo by Ina Fassbender/Reuters)

Students in Aone’s elementary school during break in between the class on April 9, 2015. The school has only six students, two of whom are from the same family. Similarly small schools can be found throughout Japan. (Photo by Ko Sasaki/The Washington Post)

In this photograph taken on April 16, 2014, a veterinary staff member of the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme center conducts medical examinations on a 14-year-old male orangutan found with air gun metal pellets embedded in his body in Sibolangit district in northern Sumatra island. (Photo by Sutanta Aditya/AFP Photo)

A zookeeper handles a week-old newborn baby Langur at Bali Zoo on June 19, 2014 in Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia. Javan Langurs are found in Java, Bali and Lombok in Indonesia and are listed as a threatened species due to hunting, agricultural expansion and habitat loss. (Photo by Putu Sayoga/Getty Images)

Three-year-old tawny owl, found abandoned by its owner, is agoraphobic. Multi-skilled Bertie also likes to help Mr Middleton make a cup of tea – and is fond of sitting on top of the kettle. Mr Middleton said the domesticated owl, which he adopted after it was left abandoned on the ground, hates the outdoors. The domestic owl casts a watchful eye over Mr Middleton's handy work. The creature was found by the organic farmer abandoned on the ground.