Tasmanian calicivirus release sites
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To ensure calicivirus is effective and to prevent rabbit populations developing immunity, virus release only takes place when conditions are suitable, between late summer and autumn.
Due to continuing rainfall and good growing conditions across the state, 2023 is proving to be another challenging year for rabbit control with calicivirus.
Most areas around the state currently have enough green grass available for rabbits to continue breeding and making it less likely for them to take calicivirus treated bait.
Generally, only rabbits older than 12 weeks are susceptible to calicivirus. Young rabbits may develop immunity from calicivirus if exposed. Release of calicivirus in the presence of large numbers of young rabbits therefore increases the risk of developing calicivirus immunity within rabbit populations.
Trained biosecurity staff continue to monitor conditions and assess suitability for releasing calicivirus. Currently, very specific locations around the state have been identified as suitable, allowing for a very limited release of calicivirus in the following areas.
North
North-West
South
- Granton
- Bothwell
- Mangalore
- Pontville
- Kingston
This page will be updated if any further sites are identified for further release of calicivirus in Tasmania in 2023.
There are reports wild rabbit populations currently being impacted by myxomatosis and RHDV2 (a different type of calicivirus of unknown origin that has naturalised in the environment).
If you wish to report rabbit deaths in your area to support our data collection please contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777 or email invasivespecies@nre.tas.gov.au
Calicivirus was not released in Tasmania in 2021 or 2022.