Rabbit management requires an integrated and strategic plan of action using a range of tools and techniques.
The most effective outcomes occur when management efforts look beyond property boundaries and involve a high degree of cooperation between affected landowners, community groups and other stakeholders. Landowners have primary responsibility for managing rabbits on their land.
Calicivirus is used as one option in a suite of available management options to avoid very high rabbit population numbers.
Biosecurity Tasmania provides advice on rabbit control and regulates the annual release of calicivirus. This is because calicivirus is a biological control agent, and its effective use can be more complex than other control options.
Biosecurity Tasmania officers assess properties in response to enquiries from landowners and determine the suitability for release of calicivirus or whether other control options may be more appropriate.
What is happening in 2021?
As a consequence of the good growing conditions, this year will be a challenging year for rabbit control.
With this summer’s high rainfall, there is currently an abundance of food available, especially grass, so conditions are good for rabbits to breed and they may be less likely to take calicivirus treated bait.
Biosecurity Tasmania will continue to undertake property assessments across the state, however calicivirus release may be very limited this year given the amount of alternative feed available.
No release sites for 2021 have been published at this stage.
The release sites from last year (2020) are still available on the Department website.
If properties are assessed as suitable for calicivirus release, the areas will be listed on the Department website. Individual properties are not publicly identified.
Calicivirus is typically released during the March to July period in areas where identified rabbit numbers are problematic.
What strain of calicivirus is used in Tasmania for rabbit control?
RHDV1-K5 is the only strain released by Biosecurity Tasmania. RHDV1-K5 is a strain of the original RHDV1 virus, which was first released in Tasmania in 1997.
In 2016, a new variant of calicivirus, RHDV2, was detected in Tasmania. Previously detected on the mainland, it is not known how RHDV2 arrived in Australia or Tasmania. RHDV2 is not registered for use as a biological control agent and is NOT released by the Tasmanian Government.
How best to protect domestic rabbits?
Rabbit owners are encouraged to talk with their veterinarian regarding protection against caliciviruses. There is currently no approved vaccine available in Australia against RHDV2.
Strategies for protecting pet and farmed rabbits from caliciviruses, including important biosecurity measures, can be found on the Department website.
Where to go for more information?
Rabbit owners and landholders are encouraged to visit the Department website for more information on calicivirus and rabbit management: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/invasive-species/invasive-animals/invasive-mammals/european-rabbits