Leschenault Biosecurity Group Calicivirus RHDV1 K5 Program Summer 2025-2026
Description
Register here to participate in Leschenault Biosecurity Group's Calicivirus RHDV1 K5 Release - 30 March 2026 (Donnybrook collection point to be announced)
Program Participation
Registration is required. (1`-registration per property)
Eligible Landholder: Participant must be landholder or manager for property on which the virus will be released.
Register for LBG-scheduled Release Date* (Note: this is our third and final Release this year; registration priority goes to those who had joined our waiting list)
Ensure you are able to undertake the full approximately two-week program, including feeding site selection and pre-feeding, immediately prior to our scheduled Release Date, 30th March.
New this year: registration includes a ticket, which must be presented when collecting virus-treated oats
The ticket system helps us manage and allocate our limited virus supply: On your Release Date, 30th March - Please bring your ticket details when collecting virus-treated oats . This can be shown as a printed ticket, digital ticket, or order number.
DPR- rated properties within LBG Operational Area (no additional cost): Landholders of properties within LBG Operational Area rated by the State for a Declared Pest Rate (DPR) may participate in this program for a release on that property at no additional cost, while virus supply lasts.
Fee-for-service participation: Landholders of properties not rated by the State for a DPR or outside of the LBG Operational Area may participate for a fee for virus and related costs - Participation by fee is available at LBG's discretion if virus supply permits relative to demand from landholders of DPR-rated properties within the LBG Operational Area.
Program updates will be e-mailed to registered participants
* “Release Date” refers to the day registered participants who have had a successful pre-feeding phase will collect virus-treated oats from LBG for "release" (feeding out) on their property.
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Each summer the Leschenault Biosecurity Group (LBG) conducts a Calicivirus RHDV1 K5 Release Program with participating landholders, facilitating targeted releases acroos the LBG Operational Area. The more properties that are involved, the more effective the releases will be.
These virus releases don't eliminate all rabbits, but they do typically provide for significant reduction in rabbit population, hopefully better enabling landholders the ability to implement other rabbit control strategies around their property. The key to success for effective rabbit control is persistence. "One-off" efforts produce only short-term results as rabbit populations can recover quickly even after successful control programs. Rabbits reproduce very effectively; complete elimination is close to impossible.
Read more about this program at: LBG Calicivirus RHDV1 K5 Release Program
This program is funded by the Declared Pest Rate (DPR). Landholders whose properties are subject to a DPR within the LBG Operational Area are eligible to participate in this program for no additional cost subject to the group's virus supply and a property-specific successful pre-feeding phase as per LBG's guidance for this program.
FAQs
- Costs - Why is there a fee for some participants of this program, but not all?
This program is funded by the Declared Pest Rate (DPR). Landholders whose properties are subject to a DPR within the LBG Operational Area are eligible to participate in this program for no additional cost. Thank you to our proactive community members who pay their DPR invoice. DPR funds collected by WA Revenue are matched dollar-for-dollar by the Department of Primary Industries and returned to the Recognised Biosecurity Group in the area in which the funds are raised. DPR contributions make coordinated pest management programs, such as LBG's annual Calicivirus K5 Release Program, the group's robust feral pig control program and other support resources and services possible, delivering shared benefits in declared pest management across communities. At LBG's discretion relative to virus supply and demand within the group's Operational Area, participation in this program may be made available to others - this participation will incur a fee for service to cover expense of the virus and associated costs to deliver this program.
- Am I required to attend a LBG Calcivirus RHDV1 K5 Participant Workshop to participate in this program?
No - however, we strongly encourage participation, especially for anyone new to this program, for guidance (or a refresher) on processes to help you maximise the success of a Calicivirus K5 Release on your property. NOTE: Anyone can attend one of these FREE workshops; workshop registration is not required.
- Will wildlife, pets or stock be impacted by a Calcivirus Release on my property?
Calicivirus RHDV1 K5 ("K5” Strain of the Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus) is a species-specific virus that will only infect the European rabbit. This virus, used across the country as a biocontrol tool for rabbit management, specifically and only affects rabbits. It will not harm any other species including, humans, pets (other than rabbits), our native wildlife, livestock or other predatory animals.
- Can I protect my pet/commercial rabbit(s)?
Pet and Domestic Rabbit Owners: A vaccine that protects domestic rabbits against this strain is available and strongly recommended for pet rabbits in the release region. It is important however to clarify that other strains not protected by the vaccine can also be present in the region.
- Can I participate in more than one LBG Calicivirus RHDV1 K5 Release on my property over the 2025-2026 summer?
No. Due to limited virus supply we are strictly limiting this summer's release program to one release per participating property.
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