Tasmanian calicivirus release sites

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Winter 2025 update

• Biosecurity Tasmania has completed its calicivirus (RHDV1) release program for 2025.

• Calicivirus releases commenced on 28 February 2025 and concluded on 20 June 2025.

• Calicivirus was released on 419 individual properties across Tasmania.

• Preliminary results are anecdotal, but evidence suggests the immediate rabbit population exposed to calicivirus following a release has died.

• Recent advice, however, suggests the drier than normal conditions across Tasmania has negatively impacted insect breeding during Autumn. Insects are vectors for spreading calicivirus, meaning lower numbers of insects has likely reduced the spread of calicivirus across the State.

• As a result, landowners may see populations of rabbits quickly replacing animals impacted by the virus release.   

• Now is the time of the year to update your rabbit management plan and consi​der other rabbit control methods such as fencing, harbour removal, shooting and poisoning (Pindone).

• Professional pest controllers wanting to add rabbit control to their services can apply for a five-yea​r Agricultural Spraying Permit to apply the poison Pindone.
  

​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 Invasiv​e Species enquiry form.
  

​​​​Completed releases​​ 2025