Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is caused by a calicivirus, rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), which is responsible for high mortality in domestic and wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). RHDV strains were sequenced from wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus algirus) collected in the Azorean island of Pico, Portugal. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the Pico RHDV strains diverge from all of the others described so far, but cluster with the genogroups 1-5 (G1-G5). The genetic distance between the Pico RHDV sequences and each G1, G2 and G3-G5 genogroup (~0.08) is compatible with an RHDV introduction at least 17 years ago. Our results show that in Pico, RHDV is the outcome of an independent evolution from the original RHDV strain that appeared in its European rabbit population. These are the first sequences of RHDV obtained in the subspecies O. c. algirus, outside of its original region, the Iberian Peninsula. Furthermore, we discuss the risk of rabbit translocations from the Azores to the Iberian Peninsula, where the rabbit wild populations are suffering high mortalities. ; The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology supported the doctoral fellowship of Ana M. Lopes (ref.: SFRH/BD/78738/2011) and Ana Pinheiro (ref.: SFRH/BD/71252/2010) and the FCT Investigator grant of Joana Abrantes (ref.: IF/01396/2013). This work is funded by OE Funds - State budget through the FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology under the project FCT-ANR/BIABIC/0043/2012. Furthermore, the project >Genomics Applied to Genetic Resources>, co-financed by the North Portugal Regional Operational Programme 2007/2013 (ON.2–O Novo Norte), under the National Strategic Reference Framework, through the European Regional Development Fund, supported this work. ; Peer Reviewed