Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare and successfully release native wildlife into their natural environment.

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 released a minimum of three native animals into a natural environment, including (for each):

• assessing the animal’s readiness to be released
• identifying the risks to the animal about to be released
• safely transporting animals and releasing at specified site
• implementing monitoring devices or tactics
• maintaining accurate records.

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 animal release
• anatomical structures and physiological features of native animals
• animal monitoring devices and tactics
• basic animal husbandry requirements and rehabilitation procedures for common native species
• databases to establish status of species in the wild
• indicators of animals' readiness for release:

• being dehumanised
• displaying appropriate species behaviour
• displaying normal physical features, such as returning to waterproof state
• feeding independently and eating at least 85 per cent natural diet that will be available in the proposed release site
• moving freely
• recognising own species
• socially adapted to survive in their natural state
• recognising natural food sources
• used to exposure to natural elements

• readiness will also depend on:

• availability of a suitable release site
• other habitat considerations
• practicality of releasing animals into the area where they were originally found
• timing of release and consideration of species migratory patterns
• weather conditions

• risks of working with captive animals, including:

• animal bites, envenomation, kicks, scratches and crush injuries
• biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
• handling of chemicals and medicines
• inhalation of aerosol particles
• intraocular contamination
• manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
• needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
• release of infective agents (animal and human)
• slippery or uneven work surfaces
• zoonoses

• typical steps for release, including:

• veterinary examination to ensure animals are clinically free of diseases and parasite
• notifying relevant government department of proposed release, as required
• organising tagging, banding or other marking, as required, for monitoring purposes
• soft or hard release
• releasing as near as possible to original habitat
• releasing in the appropriate social group, where applicable to species
• selecting appropriate weather, season and time of day

• principles and objectives of animal rehabilitation and release 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 rescued and rehabilitated native animals
• equipment and resources appropriate to work undertaken in a captive animal 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