Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of live trapping and holding, releasing or humanely destroying animals and defines the standard required to: select trap sites and prepare traps; check traps and examine, relocate or destroy trapped animals; collect traps and ensure environmental impacts of trapping are minimised; record and report details of trapped animals if required.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to working within established routines, methods and procedures.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Plan animal capture

1.1. Purpose of capture of animals is identified as determined from the management strategy and action plans.

1.2. Target animal range and behaviour are confirmed.

1.3. Trapping location and placement of equipment are determined.

1.4. Time required to complete capture is estimated and trapping effort is determined.

1.5. Materials and equipment for trapping are identified.

1.6. Hazards associated with trapping are identified in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practices and procedures.

1.7. Environmental risks associated with capturing animals are identified in accordance with statutory and local authority requirements.

2. Prepare for trapping

2.1. Locations for the trapping activity are mapped to be consistent with target animal behaviour and in accordance with the management strategy and relevant monitoring programs.

2.2. Relevant licenses and permission to enter property are obtained.

2.3. Precautions to minimise hazards are identified in accordance with OHS practices and procedures.

2.4. Precautions to minimise environmental risks associated with capturing the target animal are identified.

2.5. Precautions to minimise trapping of non-target animals are considered.

2.6. Vehicles, equipment and materials are checked for serviceability in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and relevant policies.

3. Place and set traps

3.1. Site for trapping is selected to maximise chance of trapping target animals and minimise chance of trapping non-target animals.

3.2. Site for capturing animals is prepared in accordance with industry practice.

3.3. Trapping equipment is constructed, positioned and secured in accordance with industry practice.

3.4. Trapping equipment is set safely in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

3.5. Trapping equipment is checked for strength and security in accordance with industry practice.

3.6. Trap mechanisms are set or calibrated in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

3.7. Lures or baits are applied in accordance with industry practice if required.

3.8. Traps are camouflaged as required.

3.9. Precautions to prevent trapping of non-target animals are applied in accordance with industry practice.

4. Check and remove traps

4.1. Traps are checked regularly in accordance with industry practice.

4.2. Trapped animals are identified then released, killed or prepared for transport in accordance with industry practice.

4.3. Captured animals are handled humanely according to enterprise requirements and animal welfare guidelines.

4.4. Animals are checked according to supervisor instructions and enterprise guidelines.

4.5. Animals are transported from site where required in a safe and appropriate manner according to legislative and enterprise requirements.

4.6. OHS and public safety requirements are met prior to and during trapping activities.

4.7. Trap mechanism is released safely and trap is removed in accordance with industry practice.

4.8. Trap site is restored to prior condition.

5. Report completion of work

5.1. Results of trapping activities are reported according to enterprise guidelines.

5.2. Incidents with animals are dealt with and reported according to legislative, enterprise, occupational health and safety and public safety requirements.

6. Clean and store equipment and material

6.1. Carcases for research or other purposes are cleaned and stored in accordance with relevant policies and procedures and industry practice.

6.2. Equipment and materials are cleaned and stored in accordance with relevant standards and policies.

6.3. Target and non-target kills are recorded in accordance with statutory requirements and enterprise guidelines.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• identify hazards and implement safe operating procedures
• plan animal capture
• prepare for trapping
• place and set traps
• check and remove traps
• clean and store equipment and materials
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• OHS, environmental and pest control legislative and enterprise requirements
• common law principles relating to property, stock, duty of care and due diligence
• animal life cycles and behaviours
• catching techniques, equipment and operation
• suitable traps for the given animal species
• animal welfare
• animal identification
• basic animal handling and care
• legislation applying to the capture and care of wildlife
• transportation methods of caught animals
• public welfare legislation, regulations, Codes of Practice and enterprise procedures.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• identify the species, purpose and target area for trapping
• select trap sites and prepare traps
• check traps and examine, relocate or destroy trapped animals
• collect traps and ensure environmental impacts of trapping are minimised
• record and report details of trapped animals if required.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Animals may include:

• native animals
• domestic species
• species determined to be pests of primary production, the environment or public health and lifestyle.

Unit sector 

Vertebrate pests

Co-requisite units 

Competency field