Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to provide immediate care for rescued native wildlife and rehabilitating animals.

This unit applies to wildlife animal keepers or carers who work in a captive animal facility, under the direction of a more experienced staff member.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Captive Animals (CAN)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has rehabilitated a minimum of three native animals, including (for each):

• providing appropriate care for rescued animal
• developing and implementing rehabilitation programs for native animals in consultation with relevant people and organisations
• identifying and handling native wildlife correctly and humanely
• maintaining accurate records
• preparing animals for post-rehabilitation life.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

• principles and practices of native wildlife rehabilitation
• animals typically rescued, including:

• amphibians
• birds
• mammals
• reptiles

• anatomical structures and physiological features of common native animals
• basic animal husbandry requirements and rehabilitation procedures for common native species
• initial emergency care activities, including:

• clearing animal's mouth and nose to assist breathing
• applying pressure bandages to stem external bleeding
• supporting bandages to immobilise fractures
• observing injuries
• treating dehydration
• providing warmth and comfort for shock

• natural dietary requirements for specific species
• normal behaviour of native wildlife
• common problems experienced by rescued animals, including:

• age-related health conditions
• bloat
• changes in behaviour
• changes in urine and bowel movements
• cloacal prolapse
• dehydration
• discharges
• feeding problems, including milk aspiration and decreased appetite
• fight injuries
• fur loss
• general ill health
• heat stress
• humanisation
• lethargy
• loss of weight
• malnutrition
• parasitic burdens
• stooped position
• stress
• trauma
• zoonotic and other diseases

• recovery procedures, including:

• 24-hour care for young animals
• accessing veterinary care and administering medication as directed
• applying relevant husbandry standards to ensure pathogens are not contracted
• cleaning eyes
• dressing wounds
• feeding and hydrating
• integrating with other same-species animals
• minimising stress
• providing warmth
• releasing animals to the natural environment if permitted by relevant legislation
• removing domestic animals from wild animals' presence

• pathogens and their potential impact on the environment
• principles and objectives of animal rehabilitation programs, animal welfare and ethics
• relevant facility policies and procedures, including WHS, animal welfare, hygiene standards and other industry guidelines
• relevant legislation including state or territory wildlife Acts and codes of practice
• wildlife ecology, including population dynamics, habitat selection, competition, and predator-prey interactions.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• a workplace or an environment that accurately reflects a real workplace setting

• resources, equipment and materials:

• a range of native animals
• equipment and resources appropriate to work undertaken in an animal care facility

• specifications:

• access to organisational policies and procedures
• current WHS legislation and regulations and relevant state/territory animal welfare regulations

• relationships (internal and/or external):

• interactions with team members.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103