Tasmanian calicivirus release sites

​​​​​March 2025 update

• Biosecurity ​Tasmania has a supply of calicivirus (RHDV1) to use as a biological control for rabbit populations in Tasmania when conditions are suitable.
  

• Thanks to conditions continuing without any significant rain events, calicivirus releases commenced as planned on 28 February 2025 (see table below).​​

• Trained Biosecurity Tasmania staff continue to monitor conditions into Autumn. In most locations we are still seeing grass drying out and as a result rabbits have stopped breeding.​
  

• Autumn has the added advantage of having many insects present. Insects are vectors for the transmission of RHDV1 as they can spread the virus from one rabbit to another, making RHDV1 more effective for rabbit control at this time of the year.   

• It is recommended landowners begin planning for what control method they will use to follow up a calicivirus release. It is important to do this to stop rabbits breeding back up to pre-release calicivirus numbers in a short time.

• Contemporary research suggests Calicivirus (RHDV1) is most effective when used as part of an integrated rabbit control program. A successful RHDV1 release will not eliminate all rabbits at a site, and it is recommended landowners employ other targeted rabbit controls following a release to reduce rabbit numbers as far as possible. Destroying rabbit warrens and removal of vegetation and above ground harbours (such as wood piles) where rabbits hide, is essential to slow repopulation after an RHDV1 release.

• Other rabbit control methods also include shooting and poisoning (Pindone). Professional pest controllers wanting to add rabbit control to their services can apply for a five-year Agricultural Spraying Permit to apply the poison.
  

• Landowners are responsible for cleaning up rabbit carcases on their properties. The use of gloves and washing hands afterwards is recommended. Check with your local council before disposal of rabbit carcasses in municipal waste bins.

• However, if you do notice rabbits dying suddenly, you can support the spread of biological control agents by just leaving infected rabbit carcasses where they died. People concerned about rabbit carcasses in public spaces should contact their local council.
  

More information

• Information about how to protect your pet rabbits from viruses is available on our Protecting your domestic rabbits from calicivirus webpage. This includes information about the strain we use for rabbit control.​
  

• ​Landowners are responsible for the control of rabbits on their land. You can find advice about rabbit management and control techniques on our European rabbits webpage​. 

• For more information please contact Biosecurity Tasmania using the Online Invasive Species enquiry form.
  

​Planned release areas 2025

​It is anticipated that releases will be able to continue through Autumn until conditions start to deteriorate and become cold and wet again.​

Please note: ​

• There are many environmental variables which may impact on the success of a RHDV1 release. 

• Releases are particularly subject to weather conditions and are at the discretion of Biosecurity Inspectors authorised to perform RHDV1 releases. 
  

• Additional sites may be added or alternatively some sites may be removed.​
  

​​​​​Upcoming​​ releases​

This section will be updated weekly with the release areas planned for the following week.

Releases planned for week starting 24 March 2025:

​​​​Completed releases​

​This section will be updated weekly as releases are completed.

​Releases completed week starting 17 March 2025

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Releases completed week starting 3 March 2025​​

​Releases completed week starting 24 February 2025​​​​​